欣喜

• Pinyin: xīn xǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 欣 = 斤 + 欠 (joyful sigh/exclamation); 喜 = 壴 + 口 (drumbeat of joy + mouth celebrating)

Meaning

Joyful; delighted; elated. Describes a feeling of great happiness and excitement at good news or a positive outcome.

More literary than 高兴. Often used in written language, formal speeches, and descriptions of significant happy events. Stronger emotional intensity than 欣慰.

Examples

1. 多年的等待终于有了回报，他欣喜若狂地拨通了家人的电话。 After years of waiting finally paid off, he called his family in a burst of joy.
2. 孩子第一次叫出妈妈时，她欣喜地流下了眼泪。 When the child called out “Mom” for the first time, she cried tears of joy.
3. 收到录取通知书的那一刻，全家人欣喜万分。 The moment they received the admission letter, the whole family was overjoyed.

Usage Guide

Context: literature, formal expression, celebrations, personal milestones

Tone: joyful

Do Say

• 当科研团队确认实验数据达到预期指标的那一刻，实验室里爆发出一阵欣喜若狂的欢呼声。(The moment the research team confirmed that the experimental data had met the expected indicators, the laboratory erupted in cries of jubilant joy.)
• 经过漫长的谈判，双方终于达成协议，代表团成员们欣喜地相互握手，庆祝这一来之不易的突破。(After lengthy negotiations, the two sides finally reached an agreement, and the delegation members joyfully shook hands, celebrating this hard-won breakthrough.)

Don't Say

• 我欣喜这部电影 — 欣喜 is a stative adjective/verb, not transitive; say 我看到这部电影感到欣喜 or use 喜欢

Origin & History

欣 (glad/joyful) + 喜 (happiness/joy) — doubled joy; profound delight

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal