[Vocabulary] "intrinsic feelings" or "inner feelings"

[Mehrgan]

Hi all,

May I know if either choice mentioned in the title can be used to define the word 'happiness'?


"...happiness is an intrinsic/inner feeling that may change person to person..."

 

[Tarheel]

Nobody will be offended if you ask the question more directly. Perhaps:

Can either phrase in the thread title be used to define happiness?

I don't know what you mean by either intrinsic feelings or inner feelings.

Are those phrases yours?

 

[Mehrgan]

Thanks for the reply. But, I believe I did NOT mean to sound offensive. I simply meant to ask a question, and to the best of my knowledge (which is limited to MY POOR understanding of English, perhaps) the question was put directly. I was wondering if either could be used to define the word happiness, in the context given below.

Thanks anyway.

 

[emsr2d2]

Tarheel did not mean that your question sounded offensive. He meant that you actually sounded too polite! There is no need for "May I know if ..." etc. Just write the question, as Tarheel showed.

 

[Mehrgan]

Thank you both for the help.

 

[Tarheel]

Hi all,

May I know if either choice mentioned in the title can be used to define the word 'happiness'?


"...happiness is an intrinsic/inner feeling that may change from person to person..."

I'm sure that happiness has been defined by many people in many ways, but while feelings can vary in intensity, I wouldn't use either of your terms.

I hope that helps.

 

[Tarheel]

Thank you both for your help.

OK.

 

[Tdol]

Do we have external feelings?

 

[SoothingDave]

"Intrinsic" is not the right word here. Happiness is not intrinsic.

 

[jutfrank]

Don't use intrinsic to describe a feeling.

 

[Mehrgan]

Don't use intrinsic to describe a feeling.

Thanks for the reply. Actually, not being a native speaker, I naturally do have trouble understanding the very feeling a word can convey in certain contexts. The first try, I believe, is influenced by the concepts already established in my language, which is why I picked up 'intrinsic'.

The point I was trying to make is 'happiness' can EXIST and can be FELT "inside us" (?!) no matter what happens in the world around us. I was looking for the right adjective, indeed.

 

[Tarheel]

I suggest that you write shorter, simpler sentences. It will be easier to understand you if you do so.