欣慰

• Pinyin: xīn wèi
• Hanzi breakdown: 欣 = 斤 + 欠 (open-mouthed joy, like a happy sigh); 慰 = 尉 + 心 (calming the heart)

Meaning

Pleased and comforted; gratified; relieved and glad. The feeling of contentment and warmth when things turn out well or when others succeed.

Often used by elders, mentors, or superiors expressing satisfaction at someone's progress or achievement. Warmer and more personal than 满意.

Examples

1. 看到学生们在毕业典礼上自信地走上舞台，老师感到无比欣慰。 Seeing the students confidently walk onto the stage at graduation, the teacher felt deeply gratified.
2. 父母得知孩子平安抵达，内心顿时感到欣慰。 When the parents learned their child arrived safely, they immediately felt relieved.
3. 多年努力终于得到认可，她感到由衷的欣慰。 After years of hard work were finally recognized, she felt sincere comfort and satisfaction.

Usage Guide

Context: personal expression, mentorship, public speeches, family

Tone: warm

Do Say

• 看到这批年轻学者在国际学术舞台上展现出的自信与实力，身为导师，我感到由衷的欣慰与骄傲。(Seeing the confidence and capability that these young scholars displayed on the international academic stage, I feel, as their mentor, genuinely gratified and proud.)
• 社区的环境整治工作取得了显著成效，居民们普遍反映欣慰，这正是我们推动此项改革的初衷。(The environmental improvement work in the community has achieved significant results, and residents have generally expressed gratification — this is exactly the intention behind our push for these reforms.)

Don't Say

• 我对这道菜欣慰 — 欣慰 refers to emotional gratification about people or situations, not food; say 满意 or 很高兴 instead

Origin & History

欣 (glad/joyful) + 慰 (comfort/console) — joyful comfort; relief and gladness combined

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal