欢声笑语

• Pinyin: huān shēng xiào yǔ
• Hanzi breakdown: 欢 = 又 + 欠 (delight); 声 = 殸 simplified (sound/voice); 笑 = 竹 + 夭 (bent with laughter); 语 = 讠+ 吾 (speech + I, conversation)

Meaning

Cheerful sounds and laughter; the lively noise of a joyful occasion. Describes the ambient sound of people having a genuinely good time together.

A four-character set phrase used to evoke the warm, lively atmosphere of gatherings, celebrations, or happy family scenes. Appears frequently in literary descriptions and news reporting about festive events. Conveys both auditory and emotional warmth.

Examples

1. 节日的街道上欢声笑语不断，洋溢着浓厚的节日气息。 The festival streets were filled with constant laughter and cheerful voices, overflowing with holiday spirit.
2. 教室里传出阵阵欢声笑语，孩子们正在享受课间的快乐时光。 Bursts of laughter came from the classroom as the children enjoyed their happy break time.
3. 整个宴会厅里充满了欢声笑语，宾主皆欢。 The entire banquet hall was full of laughter and cheerful conversation, with hosts and guests all enjoying themselves.

Usage Guide

Context: festivals, celebrations, family gatherings, literature

Tone: warm

Do Say

• 除夕夜，全家人围坐在一起，屋内欢声笑语，其乐融融。(On New Year's Eve, the whole family sat together; the room was filled with cheerful sounds and laughter, everyone utterly content.)
• 运动会结束后，操场上响起了孩子们的欢声笑语，热闹非凡。(After the sports day, the playground rang with the children's cheerful voices and laughter — it was wonderfully lively.)

Don't Say

• 欢声笑语 to describe noisy or chaotic sounds without positive connotation — it implies joyful, harmonious sounds; use 喧闹 or 嘈杂 for mere noise

Origin & History

欢声 (joyful sounds/cheers) + 笑语 (laughter and cheerful talking)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal