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").
| 高兴 (gāoxìng) | 快乐 (kuàilè) | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | happy, cheerful | happy, joyful |
| Part of Speech | adjective | adjective, noun |
| Formality | flexible | formal |
Contents
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
- 你 觉得 你 现在 过 得 快乐 吗？Do you think you are happy now?
- 我 觉得 我 的 童年 是 很 快乐 的。I think I had a very happy childhood.
- 我 在 上海 的 生活 过 得 很 快乐。I am happy with my life in Shanghai.
- 帮助 别人 是 一 件 很 快乐 的 事情。It's a joy to help others.
- 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。Nowadays, children are not so happy because they are under more and more pressure to study.
Use 高兴 to say “nice to meet you” in introductions
Example Sentences
- 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Happy Birthday
- 圣诞节 快乐Merry Christmas
- 新年 快乐Happy New Year
- 春节 快乐Happy 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.
Example Sentences
- 认识你很高兴。
- 很高兴认识你。
- 今天 我 很 高兴 认识 大家。I'm happy to meet everyone today.
