高兴
gāoxìng
happy / glad
高兴 means happy or glad. It is one of the first emotion words learners encounter and is commonly used to express joy about meeting people or good news.
Example sentences
认识你很高兴。
Rènshi nǐ hěn gāoxìng.
Nice to meet you.
我今天很高兴。
Wǒ jīntiān hěn gāoxìng.
I am very happy today.
How to use 高兴 in practice
高兴 is a emotions & feelings item that is easiest to learn inside a complete sentence. Read it with the pinyin gāoxìng, then connect it to the meaning “happy / glad” before trying to use it from memory. The examples on this page show the phrase in context: 认识你很高兴。 / 我今天很高兴。.
When you practice 高兴, do not stop at recognition. Say one example aloud, swap in a new person, place, object, or time word, and then use the phrase in a short answer. This turns a glossary entry into real Mandarin output and exposes word-order or pronunciation mistakes quickly.
Common learner mistake
A common learner mistake is to memorize 高兴 only as “happy / glad” and then translate word by word from English. Instead, learn the whole chunk with the words around it. Notice which nouns, verbs, measure words, or polite markers appear before and after the phrase, and copy that pattern in your own sentence.
Mini practice prompt
Practice prompt: open Chinese speaking practice, start a short conversation, and use 高兴 naturally in your first or second reply. If the sentence feels awkward, compare it with the examples above and try again with a smaller sentence.
Memory tip: review 高兴 tomorrow by covering the English meaning, reading only gāoxìng, and producing a sentence before checking the examples. Active recall helps this word survive beyond one reading session.
Practice related pages
FAQ
What is the difference between 高兴 and 开心?
Both mean happy. 高兴 is slightly more formal and often used in set phrases like 很高兴认识你. 开心 is more casual and common in daily conversation.
How can I remember 高兴 faster?
Say 高兴 inside a full sentence, change one detail, and repeat it in a realistic prompt. The combination of sound, meaning, and context is stronger than memorizing the translation alone.
Can I use 高兴 in conversation practice?
Yes. Start with the example sentence, then use 高兴 in a short AI conversation so you can see whether the surrounding word order and tone feel natural.
Published by AI Chinese Coach