French word

heureux

Pronunciation

IPA/øʁø/

Meaning

  • adjectivehappy

Example

Je suis heureux.

I am happy.

Illustration for heureux (happy)

More examples

Nous sommes heureux de vous annoncer la bonne nouvelle.

We are happy to announce the good news.

Core concept

A calm smile arising from life feeling broadly right, not from one passing pleasure.

Common phrases

  • être heureux

    be happy

  • être heureux de

    be happy to ___

Similar words

content: Feeling pleased because wants or needs have been fulfilled.
joyeux: Feeling intense joy and behaving in a bright, lively way.
satisfait: Feeling pleased with an expected outcome or result.
gai: Having a lighthearted, cheerful mood or atmosphere.

Definition in French

Qui se sent content de sa vie ou d'une situation, avec une impression de bonheur stable plutôt que passager.

Word origin

The word developed from Old French heur, meaning good fortune or happiness, plus -eux, a suffix used to form adjectives.

Usage tips

  • Heureux de + an infinitive means glad to do something, as in heureux de vous rencontrer, rather than describing only general life satisfaction.

Other meanings

  • gladadjective
  • luckyadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word