HSK · Level 70
75 words
Chinese word
喜洋洋
Pronunciation
Pinyinxǐ yáng yáng
Meaning
- adjectivecheerful
Example
小猫看起来喜洋洋的，尾巴直竖着。xiǎo māo kàn qǐ lái xǐ yáng yáng de wěi ba zhí shù zhe
The kitten looks cheerful, and its tail is sticking straight up.
More examples
他收到礼物后，脸上露出喜洋洋的笑容。tā shōu dào lǐ wù hòu liǎn shàng lù chū xǐ yáng yáng de xiào róng
After receiving the gift, he had a cheerful smile on his face.
Core concept
A relaxed, upbeat presence that makes someone seem pleasant and full of good spirits.
Common phrases
满脸喜洋洋mán liǎn xǐ yáng yáng
beaming with happiness
笑得喜洋洋xiào de xǐ yáng yáng
smile cheerfully
神情喜洋洋shén qíng xǐ yáng yáng
look cheerful
Similar words
高兴gāo xìng: In a good mood after receiving something pleasant or hearing good news.
开心kāi xīn: Happy and enjoying an experience in a bright, easygoing mood.
快乐kuài lè: Having a lasting sense of happiness and satisfaction.
愉快yú kuài: Pleasantly comfortable and refreshed in mood, often in a formal style.
Definition in Chinese
形容感到高兴，精神轻松、态度阳光、给人愉快印象的样子。xíng róng gǎn dào gāo xìng jīng shén qīng sōng tài dù yáng guāng gěi rén yú kuài yìn xiàng de yàng zi
Word origin
喜洋洋 (xǐyángyáng, "cheerful") combines 喜 (xǐ, "joy") with 洋洋 (yángyáng, "abundant and overflowing"), presenting happiness as a feeling that fills a person and shows outwardly.
Usage tips
- The word has a lively conversational feel, while formal writing often chooses a more neutral description when a plain factual tone is needed.