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).











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To say happy, elated, joyous oftentimes 高兴 and 开心 can be used interchangeably.

The following examples work with both 高兴 and 开心.

Common Patterns

  • 非常~
  • 很~
  • 十分~

To say “nice to meet you” (as in a first time encounter) use 高兴

Fixed Patterns

  • 认识你很高兴
  • 很高兴认识你

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