Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
高兴(高興)gāoxìng(gao1xing4)
高兴 (gāo xìng) means 'happy' or 'glad' and is commonly used to express feelings of joy or contentment. It can describe a person's mood or a situation that brings pleasure. This word is often used in both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile in everyday conversations.
Strokes16Frequency#236DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing happiness is important in social interactions, especially when meeting friends or family. Saying 高兴 not only conveys your feelings but also strengthens relationships through shared joy.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tall mountain (高) that makes you feel joyful (兴) when you reach the top and see the beautiful view. The height of the mountain represents '高' (tall), and the joy of the experience captures the meaning of '兴' (excited or happy).
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 高兴
Quick Contrast
快乐 (kuàilè) vs 高兴 (gāoxìng): use 高兴 when expressing a more immediate or situational happiness, while 快乐 often refers to a more general or enduring sense of happiness.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 高兴 with other words for happiness, such as 快乐 (kuài lè). While 快乐 can describe a general sense of happiness, 高兴 is more about a momentary feeling of joy. Be mindful of using 高兴 when expressing personal emotions and in friendly conversations.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 1 word, 高兴 is foundational for expressing emotions. Students should focus on using it in basic sentences, such as '我很高兴' (I am very happy) and practice pronunciation to ensure clarity.
Common Mistakes
Some learners might say '我很快乐' when they mean 'I am happy,' but in casual conversation, using 高兴 is more appropriate. Also, be careful with tones: saying 'gāo xìng' with the wrong tones can lead to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 高兴
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 高兴 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
高兴 (gāo xìng) means 'happy' or 'glad' and is commonly used to express feelings of joy or contentment. It can describe a person's mood or a situation that brings pleasure. This word is often used in both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile in everyday conversations.
When to use 高兴
Learners often confuse 高兴 with other words for happiness, such as 快乐 (kuài lè). While 快乐 can describe a general sense of happiness, 高兴 is more about a momentary feeling of joy. Be mindful of using 高兴 when expressing personal emotions and in friendly conversations.
高兴 or something close to it
快乐 (kuàilè) vs 高兴 (gāoxìng): use 高兴 when expressing a more immediate or situational happiness, while 快乐 often refers to a more general or enduring sense of happiness.
What learners get wrong
Some learners might say '我很快乐' when they mean 'I am happy,' but in casual conversation, using 高兴 is more appropriate. Also, be careful with tones: saying 'gāo xìng' with the wrong tones can lead to misunderstandings.
Write 高兴
高
兴
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 高兴 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 高兴
高兴 carries 4 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
