Comparing "gaoxing" and "kaixin"

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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高兴 (gāoxìng) 开心 (kāixīn)
Meaning happy happy
Part of Speech adjective adjective
Formality flexible flexible

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.”

Sources and further reading

Websites

"高兴" 和 "开心" 和有什么不一样? | HiNative https://zh.hinative.com/questions/17274531