兴高采烈

• Pinyin: xìng gāo cǎi liè
• Hanzi breakdown: 兴 = 同 + 八 (interest/excitement); 高 = 高 (high); 采 = 爫 + 木 (spirit/vitality); 烈 = 列 + 灬 (intense)

Meaning

In high spirits; elated; overjoyed. Describes a state of visible, exuberant happiness and excitement.

A four-character idiom (成语) used in narrative and descriptive writing to portray outward expressions of great joy. Common in descriptions of celebrations, victories, and good news.

Examples

1. 孩子们听说明天放假，个个兴高采烈，奔出教室互相庆祝。 When the kids heard there would be no school tomorrow, they were all thrilled and ran out of the classroom to celebrate together.
2. 球队赢得比赛后，全体队员兴高采烈，在场上欢呼雀跃，难以抑制喜悦之情。 After winning the game, the whole team was ecstatic, cheering and jumping on the field, unable to contain their joy.
3. 她收到录取通知书后兴高采烈，立即打电话与父母分享这个喜讯。 After she received her acceptance letter, she was overjoyed and immediately called her parents to share the good news.

Usage Guide

Context: celebrations, social events, narrative

Tone: positive

Do Say

• 节日期间街道上到处是兴高采烈的市民，大家尽情享受节日的欢乐气氛。(During the festival, jubilant citizens filled the streets, everyone enjoying the festive atmosphere to the fullest.)
• 听说公司安排了年度旅游，同事们个个兴高采烈，提前开始规划行程。(Upon hearing that the company had arranged an annual trip, all colleagues were in high spirits and began planning their itineraries in advance.)

Don't Say

• 他兴高采烈地哭泣 — 兴高采烈 expresses joy; it is semantically incompatible with crying; use 喜极而泣 for 'moved to tears of joy'

Origin & History

兴 (interest/spirit) + 高 (high) + 采 (spirit/vitality) + 烈 (intense) — all four characters intensify the sense of joy

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional to Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal