语法 · HSK 1–2
高兴 (gāoxìng) vs 开心 (kāixīn) vs 快乐 (kuàilè): "happy" in Chinese
高兴 and 开心 both describe how someone feels right now ("glad, happy, having fun"): 认识你很高兴, 今天玩得很开心. 快乐 is more formal and is used for lasting well-being or in set greetings ("Happy birthday / holidays"): 生日快乐, 节日快乐, 新年快乐. You do not wish someone 生日高兴.
句型Patterns
很高兴 + Verb (认识你 / 见到你)Polite gladness at a specific event.玩得 / 聊得 + 很开心 (or 很高兴)Having a good time in daily conversation.Noun + 快乐！（生日快乐 / 新年快乐）Set holiday and birthday wishes.
例句Examples
- 认识你我非常高兴。rèn shi nǐ wǒ fēi cháng gāo xìng.I am very glad to meet you.
- 孩子们在公园里玩得很开心。hái zi men zài gōng yuán lǐ wán de hěn kāi xīn.The children had a great time playing in the park.
- 祝你生日快乐，天天开心！zhù nǐ shēng rì kuài lè, tiān tiān kāi xīn!Wishing you a happy birthday and happiness every day!
常见错误Common mistakes
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✗祝你生日高兴！
✓祝你生日快乐！
Holiday and birthday greetings always use 快乐, never 高兴.
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✗他今天不快乐，因为考试没考好。
✓他今天不高兴 / 不开心，因为考试没考好。
For a temporary bad mood over a specific event, use 不高兴 or 不开心.
重点词语Words in this guide
Common questions
Can 高兴 be used before a noun?
Rarely; use 快乐 for lasting states before nouns (快乐的童年 "a happy childhood") and 高兴/开心 in predicates (他很高兴).