was vs feel

[optimistic pessimist]

1. "I tried to explain to a doctor how I was in English, but he didn't understand me.
2. "I tried to explain to a doctor how I felt in English, but he didn't understand me.

I think #2 is more familiar, but is #1 wrong?

 

[emsr2d2]

#1 doesn't work. #2 is correct. What do you mean by "familiar"?

 

[optimistic pessimist]

By "familiar" I tried to mean I have seen this before (and so I'm pretty sure it is correct).

 

[emsr2d2]

By "familiar" I tried to mean I have seen this before (and so I'm pretty sure it is correct).

If you had said "familiar to me", it would have been clearer.

 

[Yankee]

If the surrounding text/dialogue made it clear that you were referring to your physical condition, #1 would be common/natural. But with or without context, #2 is clear that you are referring to physical condition.