How to Say "Happy" in Cantonese

開心

hoi1 sam1

The Cantonese word for happy is 開心 (hoi1 sam1).

The word 開心 is used to describe a state of being contented or joyous.

Meaning: contented, joyous (adj)

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of 開 (open) and 心 (heart), literally meaning 'open heart'.

While 開心 refers to a temporary state of being happy or joyful, 快樂 is often used for a more profound, long-term sense of happiness or well-being.

In Hong Kong, the term 開心 is commonly used to express happiness.

To say someone is 'very happy', you add the intensifier 好 before 開心 to form 好開心.

hoi1 sam1

The phrase 開心果 literally means 'happy fruit' and is the Cantonese slang for a 'class clown' or someone who brings joy to a group.
You can use the phrase 攞開心嚟搞 to describe someone who is 'looking for trouble' or making a joke out of a serious situation.
In traditional Chinese medicine and philosophy, an 'open' heart is linked to the flow of 'qi', meaning 開心 is as much about health as it is about mood.

佢話佢好開心。
He said that he was happy.
This sentence is useful for expressing that someone said they were happy using 開心.
Tatoeba #1466961 by cantonesespoken, translation #1466931 by human600
蕾拉淨係想開心唧。
Layla just wants to be happy.
This sentence shows a desire to be happy using 開心.
Tatoeba #6108636 by nickyeow, translation #6058061 by OsoHombre
我好開心可以見到你。
I'm happy that I can see you.
This sentence demonstrates expressing happiness at seeing someone using 開心.
Tatoeba #661173 by nickyeow, translation #6403823 by alishalikescats
祝你生日快樂！
Happy birthday to you!
今日天氣好好，我好開心。
The weather is nice today, I am very happy.
15 more sentences on Tatoeba

Two friends are catching up over tea at a cafe.

俊傑 Chun Kit

今日見到你真係好開心。
gam1 jat6 gin3 dou3 nei5 zan1 hai6 hou2 hoi1 sam1.
I am really happy to see you today.
美玲 Mei Ling

我呢兩日都好開心。
ngo5 ni1 loeng5 jat6 dou1 hou2 hoi1 sam1.
I have been very happy these past two days.
俊傑 Chun Kit

你發生咩好事呀？
nei5 faat3 sang1 me1 hou2 si6 aa3?
What good thing happened to you?
美玲 Mei Ling

我攞到新工作啦！
ngo5 lo2 dou3 san1 gung1 zok3 laa1!
I got a new job!

Sources

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