Chinese word

开心

Pronunciation

Pinyinkāi xīn

Meaning

  • adjectivehappy

Example

我今天很开心。wǒ jīn tiān hěn kāi xīn

I am very happy today.

Illustration for 开心 (happy)

More examples

她讲了个故事，让在场的人都很开心。tā jiǎng le gè gù shì ràng zài chǎng de rén dōu hěn kāi xīn

She told a story that made everyone there very happy.

Core concept

A cheerful state in which the heart feels open and relaxed.

Common phrases

  • 很开心hěn kāi xīn

    very happy

  • 开心起来kāi xīn qǐ lái

    become happy

  • 让大家开心ràng dà jiā kāi xīn

    make everyone happy

Similar words

高兴gāo xìng: Being glad because something brings joy or meets a wish.
快乐kuài lè: Being in a happy, pleasant mood that feels enjoyable.
兴奋xīng fèn: Being highly stirred up by strong excitement, stimulation, or expectation.
幸福xìng fú: Having deep happiness and lasting satisfaction from life or a major event.

Definition in Chinese

感到高兴或愉快，心情轻松满足的状态。gǎn dào gāo xìng huò yú kuài xīn qíng qīng sōng mǎn zú de zhuàng tài

Word origin

The word 开心 (kāixīn, "happy") is formed from 开 (kāi, "open") and 心 (xīn, "heart"), linking happiness with a heart that is no longer closed or burdened.

Usage tips

  • In Chinese, 开心 (kāixīn, "happy") can describe a person or an enjoyable time, while English usually uses happy for a person and fun for an activity.

Other meanings

  • funadjective
  • pleasantadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word