Difference between revisions of "Comparing "gaoxing" and "kuaile""

 
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高兴 (gāoxìng) and 快乐 (kuàilè) can both be translated as “happy," but are used in slightly different contexts. 高兴 is used in informal and formal situations, while 快乐 is used in mainly formal situations and well-wishing. 高兴 usually describes a happy feeling that is expressed outwardly with action or word (think "cheerful"), whereas 快乐 describes a feeling that one feels deep down on the inside (think "joyful").
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高兴 (gāoxìng) and 快乐 (kuàilè) can both be translated as “happy," but are used in slightly different contexts. 高兴 is used in informal and formal situations, while 快乐 is used in mainly formal situations and well-wishing. 高兴 usually describes a happy feeling that is expressed outwardly with action or word (think "cheerful"), whereas 快乐 describes a feeling that one feels deep down on the inside (think "joyful"). 快乐 is sometimes used as a noun, meaning "happiness."
  
 
{{SimilarWordsCol1|高兴|gāoxìng|happy, cheerful|adjective|flexible}}
 
{{SimilarWordsCol1|高兴|gāoxìng|happy, cheerful|adjective|flexible}}
{{SimilarWordsCol2|快乐|kuàilè|happy, joyful|adjective|formal}}
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{{SimilarWordsCol2|快乐|kuàilè|happy, joyful|adjective, noun|formal}}
 
{{SimilarWordsPageInfo|B1|HSK2|ASV4567}}
 
{{SimilarWordsPageInfo|B1|HSK2|ASV4567}}
 
{{2021-HSK|HSK2}}
 
{{2021-HSK|HSK2}}
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== Use 高兴 for typical "happy" feelings ==
 
== Use 高兴 for typical "happy" feelings ==
  
Think of a happy person with a big smile, a person enjoying a meal with friends, the feeling on a holiday. All of these use 高兴.
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Think of a happy person with a big smile, a person enjoying a meal with friends, the feeling of enjoying a good weekend. All of these use 高兴.
=== Example Sentences ===
+
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
* 很高兴
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* 我 跟 你 在 一起 很 <em>高兴</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ gēn nǐ zài yīqǐ hěn <em>gāoxìng</em>.</span><span class="trans">I'm happy when I'm with you.</span>
* 非常高兴
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* 你 最近 有没有 不 <em>高兴</em> ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ zuìjìn yǒuméiyǒu bù <em>gāoxìng</em>?</span><span class="trans">Have you been unhappy lately?</span>
 +
* 今天 的 晚会 大家 玩 得 很 <em>高兴</em>。<span class="pinyin">Jīntiān de wǎnhuì dàjiā wán de hěn <em>gāoxìng</em>.</span><span class="trans">Everyone had a good time at the party today.</span>
 +
* 这次 奥运会 他 得 了 银牌,所以 他 非常 <em>高兴</em>。<span class="pinyin">Zhècì Àoyùnhuì tā de le yínpái, suǒyǐ tā fēicháng <em>gāoxìng</em>.</span><span class="trans">He won a silver medal at the Olympics this time, so he was happy.</span>
 +
* 如果 你 这样 做,你 的 妈妈 会 不 <em>高兴</em> 的。<span class="pinyin">Rúguǒ nǐ zhèyàng zuò, nǐ de māma huì bù <em>gāoxìng</em> de.</span><span class="trans">If you do that, your mom won't be happy.</span>
 +
* 我 喜欢 赢,输 的 时候 我 会 很 不 <em>高兴</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ xǐhuan yíng, shū deshíhou wǒhuì hěn bù <em>gāoxìng</em>.</span><span class="trans">I like to win and I get very unhappy when I lose.</span>
 +
* 他 最近 升职 了,所以 他 很 <em>高兴</em>。<span class="pinyin">Tā zuìjìn shēngzhí le, suǒyǐ tā hěn <em>gāoxìng</em>.</span><span class="trans">He was recently promoted so he is happy.</span>
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* 我 今天 不太 <em>高兴</em>,因为 我 的 手机 被 偷 了。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ jīntiān bùtài <em>gāoxìng</em>, yīnwèi wǒ de shǒujī bèi tōu le.</span><span class="trans">I'm not so happy today because my phone was stolen.</span>
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* 我 很 <em>高兴</em>,因为 今天 的 飞机 按时 起飞 了。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ hěn <em>gāoxìng</em>, yīnwèi jīntiān de fēijī ànshí qǐfēi le.</span><span class="trans">I'm happy because the plane took off on time today.</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 
== Use 快乐 for a deeper sense of "happiness" ==
 
== Use 快乐 for a deeper sense of "happiness" ==
  
Think of the feeling you have after finishing a hard task, or winning a competition. It's also the one you use when you take a hard look at your life and ask, "am I happy?"
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Think of the feeling you have after finishing a long, hard task, spending a wonderful year abroad, or marrying your soulmate. It's also the one you use when you take a hard look at your life and ask, "am I happy?"
=== Example Sentences ===
+
 
 +
=== Example Sentences for "deeper happy" ===
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
* 你 觉得 你 现在 过 得 <em>快乐</em> 吗?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ juéde nǐ xiànzài guò de <em>kuàilè</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">Do you think you are happy now?</span>
 +
* 我 觉得 我 的 童年 是 很 <em>快乐</em> 的。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ juéde wǒ de tóngnián shì hěn <em>kuàilè</em> de.</span><span class="trans">I think I had a very happy childhood.</span>
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* 我 在 上海 的 生活 过 得 很 <em>快乐</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ zài Shànghǎi de shēnghuó guò de hěn  <em>kuàilè</em>.</span><span class="trans">I am happy with my life in Shanghai.</span>
 +
* 现在 的 孩子 都 过 得 不 太 <em>快乐</em>,因为 他们 的 学习 压力 越来越 大。<span class="pinyin">Xiànzài de háizi dōu guò de bù tài <em>kuàilè</em>, yīnwèi tāmen de xuéxí yālì yuèláiyuè dà.</span><span class="trans">Nowadays, children are not so happy because they are under more and more pressure to study.</span>
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</div>
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 +
=== Example Sentences for "happiness" ===
 +
 
 +
In this sense, 快乐 can also be used as a noun, meaning "happiness" or "joy."
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
* 我们 需要 和 朋友 分享 <em>快乐</em>。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒmen xūyào hé péngyou fēnxiǎng <em>kuàilè</em>.</span><span class="trans">We need to share joy with our friends.</span>
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</div>
 +
 
 +
=== Example Sentences for "happy events" ===
 +
 
 +
快乐 is also more likely to be used when describing a "happy event."
 +
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
* 快了的例句
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* 帮助 别人 是 一 件 很 <em>快乐</em> 的 事情。<span class="pinyin">Bāngzhù biérén shì yī jiàn hěn  <em>kuàilè</em> de shìqing.</span><span class="trans">Helping others is a joyful thing to do.</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 
== Use 高兴 to say “nice to meet you” in introductions ==
 
== Use 高兴 to say “nice to meet you” in introductions ==
=== Example Sentences ===
+
 
 +
This one is quite simple and cane be summed up in the following examples:
 +
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
* 认识你很高兴。
+
* 认识 你 很 <em>高兴</em>。<span class="pinyin">Rènshi nǐ hěn <em>gāoxìng</em>.</span><span class="trans">Nice to meet you.</span>
* 很高兴认识你。
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* 很 <em>高兴</em> 认识 你 。<span class="pinyin">Hěn <em>gāoxìng</em> Rènshi nǐ.</span><span class="trans">Nice to meet you.</span>
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* 今天 我 很 <em>高兴</em> 认识 大家。<span class="pinyin">Jīntiān wǒ hěn <em>gāoxìng</em> rènshi dàjiā.</span><span class="trans">I'm happy to meet everyone today.</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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This usage is definitely less common, but you will see it.
 
This usage is definitely less common, but you will see it.
=== Example Sentences ===
+
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
* 认识你很高兴。
+
* 我 很 <em>高兴</em>  听 到 这个 好 消息。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ hěn <em>gāoxìng</em> tīng dào zhège hǎo xiāoxī.</span><span class="trans">I am so glad to hear the good news.</span>
* 很高兴认识你。
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* 我 的 爷爷 一定 会 很 <em>高兴</em> 看 到 你们。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ de yéye yīdìng huì hěn <em>gāoxìng</em> kàn dào nǐmen.</span><span class="trans">My grandfather will be so happy to see you all.</span>
 +
* 我们 今天 很 <em>高兴</em> 可以 吃 到 这么 好吃 的 中国 菜。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen jīntiān hěn <em>gāoxìng</em> kěyǐ chī dào zhème hǎochī de Zhōngguó cài.</span><span class="trans">We are so happy to have such good Chinese food today.</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  

Latest revision as of 03:54, 16 June 2022

高兴 (gāoxìng) and 快乐 (kuàilè) can both be translated as “happy," but are used in slightly different contexts. 高兴 is used in informal and formal situations, while 快乐 is used in mainly formal situations and well-wishing. 高兴 usually describes a happy feeling that is expressed outwardly with action or word (think "cheerful"), whereas 快乐 describes a feeling that one feels deep down on the inside (think "joyful"). 快乐 is sometimes used as a noun, meaning "happiness."











B1HSK2ASV4567
高兴 (gāoxìng) 快乐 (kuàilè)
Meaning happy, cheerful happy, joyful
Part of Speech adjective adjective, noun
Formality flexible formal

Use 高兴 for typical "happy" feelings

Think of a happy person with a big smile, a person enjoying a meal with friends, the feeling of enjoying a good weekend. All of these use 高兴.

  • 我 跟 你 在 一起 很 高兴Wǒ gēn nǐ zài yīqǐ hěn gāoxìng.I'm happy when I'm with you.
  • 你 最近 有没有 不 高兴Nǐ zuìjìn yǒuméiyǒu bù gāoxìng?Have you been unhappy lately?
  • 今天 的 晚会 大家 玩 得 很 高兴Jīntiān de wǎnhuì dàjiā wán de hěn gāoxìng.Everyone had a good time at the party today.
  • 这次 奥运会 他 得 了 银牌,所以 他 非常 高兴Zhècì Àoyùnhuì tā de le yínpái, suǒyǐ tā fēicháng gāoxìng.He won a silver medal at the Olympics this time, so he was happy.
  • 如果 你 这样 做,你 的 妈妈 会 不 高兴 的。Rúguǒ nǐ zhèyàng zuò, nǐ de māma huì bù gāoxìng de.If you do that, your mom won't be happy.
  • 我 喜欢 赢,输 的 时候 我 会 很 不 高兴Wǒ xǐhuan yíng, shū deshíhou wǒhuì hěn bù gāoxìng.I like to win and I get very unhappy when I lose.
  • 他 最近 升职 了,所以 他 很 高兴Tā zuìjìn shēngzhí le, suǒyǐ tā hěn gāoxìng.He was recently promoted so he is happy.
  • 我 今天 不太 高兴,因为 我 的 手机 被 偷 了。Wǒ jīntiān bùtài gāoxìng, yīnwèi wǒ de shǒujī bèi tōu le.I'm not so happy today because my phone was stolen.
  • 我 很 高兴,因为 今天 的 飞机 按时 起飞 了。Wǒ hěn gāoxìng, yīnwèi jīntiān de fēijī ànshí qǐfēi le.I'm happy because the plane took off on time today.

Use 快乐 for a deeper sense of "happiness"

Think of the feeling you have after finishing a long, hard task, spending a wonderful year abroad, or marrying your soulmate. It's also the one you use when you take a hard look at your life and ask, "am I happy?"

Example Sentences for "deeper happy"

  • 你 觉得 你 现在 过 得 快乐 吗?Nǐ juéde nǐ xiànzài guò de kuàilè ma?Do you think you are happy now?
  • 我 觉得 我 的 童年 是 很 快乐 的。Wǒ juéde wǒ de tóngnián shì hěn kuàilè de.I think I had a very happy childhood.
  • 我 在 上海 的 生活 过 得 很 快乐Wǒ zài Shànghǎi de shēnghuó guò de hěn kuàilè.I am happy with my life in Shanghai.
  • 现在 的 孩子 都 过 得 不 太 快乐,因为 他们 的 学习 压力 越来越 大。Xiànzài de háizi dōu guò de bù tài kuàilè, yīnwèi tāmen de xuéxí yālì yuèláiyuè dà.Nowadays, children are not so happy because they are under more and more pressure to study.

Example Sentences for "happiness"

In this sense, 快乐 can also be used as a noun, meaning "happiness" or "joy."

  • 我们 需要 和 朋友 分享 快乐Wǒmen xūyào hé péngyou fēnxiǎng kuàilè.We need to share joy with our friends.

Example Sentences for "happy events"

快乐 is also more likely to be used when describing a "happy event."

  • 帮助 别人 是 一 件 很 快乐 的 事情。Bāngzhù biérén shì yī jiàn hěn kuàilè de shìqing.Helping others is a joyful thing to do.

Use 高兴 to say “nice to meet you” in introductions

This one is quite simple and cane be summed up in the following examples:

  • 认识 你 很 高兴Rènshi nǐ hěn gāoxìng.Nice to meet you.
  • 高兴 认识 你 。Hěn gāoxìng Rènshi nǐ.Nice to meet you.
  • 今天 我 很 高兴 认识 大家。Jīntiān wǒ hěn gāoxìng rènshi dàjiā.I'm happy to meet everyone today.

快乐 is often used in well-wishing

This use is very similar to the use of "Happy Birthday," "Happy New Year," or "Merry Christmas" in English.

  • 生日 快乐shēngrì kuàilèHappy Birthday
  • 圣诞节 快乐shèngdànjié kuàilèMerry Christmas
  • 新年 快乐xīnnián kuàilèHappy New Year
  • 春节 快乐chūnjié kuàilèHappy Chinese New Year

Only 高兴 can be used as a verb to mean “to be happy to”

This usage is definitely less common, but you will see it.

  • 我 很 高兴 听 到 这个 好 消息。Wǒ hěn gāoxìng tīng dào zhège hǎo xiāoxī.I am so glad to hear the good news.
  • 我 的 爷爷 一定 会 很 高兴 看 到 你们。Wǒ de yéye yīdìng huì hěn gāoxìng kàn dào nǐmen.My grandfather will be so happy to see you all.
  • 我们 今天 很 高兴 可以 吃 到 这么 好吃 的 中国 菜。Wǒmen jīntiān hěn gāoxìng kěyǐ chī dào zhème hǎochī de Zhōngguó cài.We are so happy to have such good Chinese food today.

Sources and further reading

Websites