歡喜
hoaⁿ-hí
歡喜 (hoaⁿ-hí) is the Hokkien word for happy.
歡喜 is an adjective used to describe feeling contented or joyous.
Meaning: contented, joyous (adj)
How do you pronounce it?
hoaⁿ-hí
Did you know?
- The term 歡喜 can sometimes be used ironically in Hokkien to describe someone who is overly pleased with themselves in a naive or foolish way.
- The characters used in 歡喜 are often seen in traditional calligraphy to represent auspiciousness and good fortune in home decorations.
- In many Hokkien-speaking communities, the term 歡喜 is used more as a verb meaning 'to like' or 'to love' rather than just an adjective for happiness.
Examples in context
- 伊的心情真歡喜。i ê sim-tsîng tsin huann-hí.His mood is very joyful.
- 看到你，我真歡喜。khuànn kà lí, guá tsin huann-hí.I am very happy to see you.
Example conversation
Shufen tells Zhiming she got a new job.
- 淑芬 Siok-fun志明，我找到工作了！Zhi-míng, guó háu-kàu kang-jók liáu!Zhiming, I found a job!
- 志明 Chi-ming真的嗎？太好了！chin-sī-hó–kah? thài hó liáu!Really? That's great!
- 淑芬 Siok-fun我心內真歡喜。guó sim-lāi chin huān-híI feel very happy inside.
- 志明 Chi-ming我也為你歡喜。guó iā uī lí huān-híI am happy for you too.
