Comparing "gaoxing" and "kaixin"

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Both 高兴 and 开心 can translated to mean happy, elated, or joyous. Both can be used in formal/informal settings and are often paired with “很”, “非常”, “十分”. A key difference is 高兴 is both an adjective and a verb, whereas 开心 is only an adjective. A final difference is 高兴 is used in fixed patterns when saying “nice to meet you” (as in a first time encounter).

高兴 (gāoxìng) 开心 (kāixīn)
Meaning happy, elated, or joyous happy, elated, or joyous
Part of Speechadjective and verbadjective
Formalityflexibleflexible

To say to small (size or magnitude), young, minor, or petty use 小

Common Phrases

  • 小孩儿
  • 小姑娘
  • 小问题
  • 小河
  • 声音很小
  • 雨很小
  • 小国
  • 小房子

To say to small (quantity or number), seldom, few, or less use 少

Common Phrases

  • 少联系