Comparing "gaoxing" and "kuaile"

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").

B1HSK2ASV4567

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

:Yes

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.

Example Sentences

• 很高兴
• 非常高兴

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?"

Example Sentences

• 快了的例句

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

• 认识你很高兴。
• 很高兴认识你。

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.

• 认识你很高兴。
• 很高兴认识你。

Sources and further reading

Websites

• 高兴、快乐、愉快、喜悦的区别