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快乐 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
快乐
kuàilè
happy
HSK 2, a, 12 strokes, rank #596, Easy
快乐
kuàilè
merry
HSK 2, a, 12 strokes, rank #596, Easy
kuàilè(kuai4le4)kuai le T4
1happy
2merry
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March 24, 2026
快乐(快樂)kuàilè(kuai4le4)
快乐 (kuài lè) means 'happy' or 'merry.' It is commonly used to express feelings of joy and contentment in both personal and social contexts, such as celebrating accomplishments or enjoying time with friends. The term can also describe a general state of happiness or the presence of cheerful moments.
Strokes12Frequency#596DifficultyEasy
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, expressing happiness is often linked to social gatherings and celebrations, such as festivals and family reunions. Saying '快乐' is essential during occasions like birthdays, where the phrase '生日快乐' (shēngrì kuàilè) is commonly used.
Memory tip
Imagine a 'kuai' (快) rabbit hopping joyfully through a field, spreading 'le' (乐) as it bounces. The rabbit's speed and happiness represent the essence of being merry and joyful, making it easy to remember the pronunciation and meaning of 快乐.
Meanings of 快乐
kuàilè(kuai4le4)
1happy
2merry
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 快乐
快乐Simplified
快樂Traditional
12Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#596Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 快乐
Podcast: 快乐
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AI study notes for 快乐
Quick Contrast
愉快 (yúkuài) — use 快乐 (kuàilè) for a more general or informal sense of happiness, while 愉快 (yúkuài) often conveys a more refined or formal feeling of pleasure.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 快乐 with other terms for happiness, like 开心 (kāi xīn), which is more about being cheerful. While 快乐 is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, ensure you use it in situations that warrant a general expression of joy. Be cautious with tones, as mispronouncing 'kuai' could change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 2 word, 快乐 connects well with other emotions and states of being you will learn at this level, such as 兴奋 (xīng fèn, excited) and 难过 (nán guò, sad). Focus on using 快乐 in sentences to express your feelings or describe situations that bring joy.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes mistakenly use 快乐 as a noun, saying '我的快乐' (my happiness) incorrectly; instead, use '我的开心' or '我的快乐的感觉.' Additionally, mispronouncing the tones can lead to confusion with similar-sounding words.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 快乐
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Knowing 快乐 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
快乐 (kuài lè) means 'happy' or 'merry.' It is commonly used to express feelings of joy and contentment in both personal and social contexts, such as celebrating accomplishments or enjoying time with friends. The term can also describe a general state of happiness or the presence of cheerful moments.
When to use 快乐
Learners often confuse 快乐 with other terms for happiness, like 开心 (kāi xīn), which is more about being cheerful. While 快乐 is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, ensure you use it in situations that warrant a general expression of joy. Be cautious with tones, as mispronouncing 'kuai' could change the meaning.
快乐 or something close to it
愉快 (yúkuài) — use 快乐 (kuàilè) for a more general or informal sense of happiness, while 愉快 (yúkuài) often conveys a more refined or formal feeling of pleasure.
What learners get wrong
Learners sometimes mistakenly use 快乐 as a noun, saying '我的快乐' (my happiness) incorrectly; instead, use '我的开心' or '我的快乐的感觉.' Additionally, mispronouncing the tones can lead to confusion with similar-sounding words.
Write 快乐
快
乐
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Grammar patterns of 快乐
快乐 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
