\tThere are many ways to say happy in Chinese. Like with English, Chinese words have synonyms so that conversation doesn't get too repetitive. Here are the three ways you can say "happy" in Chinese along with examples of how to use the term. Audio files are marked with \u25ba.<\/p>\n
\t\u9ad8\u5174 (G\u0100O XÌNG)
\tTo describe a state of feeling happy in the moment, you would use the term \u9ad8\u5174. \u9ad8 (g \u0101o) means high, while \u5174 (xìng) has a variety of meanings depending on the context, ranging from "interest" to "flourish."<\/p>\n
\tFor an example of when to use \u9ad8\u5174, you could say:<\/p>\n
\t\u5403\u4e86\u8fd9\u987f\u7f8e\u5473\u7684\u996d\u540e\uff0c\u6211\u5f88\u9ad8\u5174 (ch\u012b le zhè dùn m\u011bi wèi de fàn hòu, w\u01d2 h\u011bn g\u0101oxìng): "After eating this delicious meal, I am happy"<\/p>\n
\tWhen expressing pleasure at meeting someone, you would use the term \u9ad8\u5174. For example:<\/p>\n
\t\u6211\u5f88\u9ad8\u5174\u8ba4\u8bc6\u4f60 (w\u01d2 h\u011bn g\u0101o xìng rèn shi n\u01d0): "It was nice to meet you"<\/p>\n
\t\u5f00\u5fc3 ( K\u0100I X\u012aN)
\t\u5f00 (k\u0101i) means "open," while \u5fc3 (x\u012bn)means "heart." While \u5f00\u5fc3 and \u9ad8\u5174 are used in very similar ways, it can be argued that \u5f00\u5fc3 is used more as a way to describe a state of mind or character trait. For example, you could say \u5979\u5f88\u5f00\u5fc3 (t\u0101 h\u011bn k\u0101i x\u012bn) which means "she is very happy."<\/p>\n
\tBut in terms of meeting people, you would not use \u5f00\u5fc3. For instance, \u6211\u5f88\u9ad8\u5174\u8ba4\u8bc6\u4f60 is a standard phrase meaning "It was nice to meet you." You would never hear someone say \u6211\u5f88\u5f00\u5fc3\u8ba4\u8bc6\u4f60.<\/p>\n
\t\u5e78\u798f (XÌNG FÚ)
\tWhile \u9ad8\u5174 describes a momentary or a shorter state of happiness, \u5e78\u798f (xìng fú) describes a longer or continual state of being happy.<\/p>\n
\tIt can also mean "to bless" or "blessing." The first character \u5e78 means "lucky," while the second character \u798f means "fortune."<\/p>\n
\tHere are examples of when to use the term \u5e78\u798f:<\/p>\n
\t\u795d \u4f60\u4eec \u5bb6\u5ead \u5e78\u798f (zhù n\u01d0 men ji\u0101 tíng xìng fú): "Wishing your family blessings."<\/p>\n
\t\u5982\u679c\u4f60\u7ed3\u5a5a\uff0c\u5988\u5988\u4f1a\u5f88\u5e78\u798f ( rú gu\u01d2 n\u01d0 jié h\u016bn, m\u0101 m\u0101 huì h\u011bn xìngfú): "If you were to marry, mom would be so happy."<\/p>\n
\t\u5feb\u4e50 (KUÀI LÈ)
\t\u5feb\u4e50 can also be written in the traditional form as \u5feb\u6a02. The first character \u5feb (kuài) means fast, quick, or swift. The second character \u4e50 or \u6a02 (lè) translates to happy, laugh, cheerful, and can also be a surname. The phrase is pronounced \u25bakuài lè, and both characters are in the fourth tone (kuai4 le4). This term for happy is also commonly used to wish people happiness during celebrations or festivals.<\/p>\n
\tHere are common examples of \u5feb\u4e50 being used in a sentence:<\/p>\n
\t\u25baT\u0101 guò deh\u011bn kuàilè.
\t\u5979\u904e\u5f97\u5f88\u5feb\u6a02\uff61
\t\u5979\u8fc7\u5f97\u5f88\u5feb\u4e50\uff61
\tShe is happy with her life.<\/p>\n
\t\u25baX\u012bn nián kuài lè.
\t\u65b0\u5e74\u5feb\u6a02\uff61
\t\u65b0\u5e74\u5feb\u4e50\uff61
\tHappy New Year. <\/p>\n