开心
kāixīn
To be happy in Chinese is 开心 (kāixīn).
开心 is used to express a sense of happiness, excitement or satisfaction.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 开 (kāi), meaning 'to open' and 心 (xīn), meaning 'heart'.
Which one should you use?
While 开心 often refers to a more immediate, transient sense of joy or amusement, the term 快乐 (kuàilè) can refer to a more profound or long-lasting state of happiness. Additionally, if you want to refer to overall well-being and happiness, the word 幸福 (xìngfú) is more appropriate.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because 开心 functions as an adjective, you use the adverb 很 (hěn), meaning 'very', instead of the verb 'to be' to express 'is happy' in a standard sentence. If you want to suggest that someone should be a bit more happy or cheer up, you can add 点 (diǎn) after 开心 to form 开心点.
How do you pronounce it?
kāixīn
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'very' to show extreme emotion, adding 很 (hěn) before 开心 (kāixīn) is often just a grammatical bridge and does not always mean the person is 'very' happy.
- The character 开 (kāi) in 'opening the heart' can also be used in the context of 'opening a way' or 'starting' something, suggesting that happiness is a process of unlocking a state of being.
- The word 幸福 (xìngfú) is used for deep, long-lasting happiness, but it also carries the connotation of being 'blessed' or 'fortunate'.
Examples in context
- 我只是想要他开心。I just want him to be happy.This sentence shows how to use 开心 to express wanting someone else to be happy.Tatoeba #10969670 by rokii9, translation #3904683 by CH
- 不要担心，开心点！Don't worry, be happy!This sentence uses the phrase 开心点 as a suggestion to cheer up.Tatoeba #501586 by fucongcong, translation #1800 by Swift
- 祝你们幸福快乐。Wishing you all happiness and joy.
- 看到你我真的好开心！Seeing you makes me really happy!
- 待在这里真快活！Staying here is so joyous!
- 祝你节日快乐，幸福安康。Wishing you a happy and peaceful holiday.
- 今天玩得真开心。Jīntiān wán de zhēn kāixīn.I had so much fun today.
Example conversation
Two friends are walking home after a fun trip to the park.
- 佳怡 Jiayi志强，你今天开心吗？Zhìqiáng, nǐ jīntiān kāixīn ma?Zhiqiang, are you happy today?
- 志强 Zhiqiang我很开心，谢谢佳怡。Wǒ hěn kāixīn, xièxiè Jiāyí.I am very happy, thanks Jiayi.
- 佳怡 Jiayi那我就放心了。Nà wǒ jiù fàngxīn le.Then I feel relieved.
- 志强 Zhiqiang明天我们再出来玩吧。Míngtiān wǒmen zài chūlái wán ba.Let's hang out again tomorrow.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
