# 满面春风

mǎn miàn chūn fēng

Look visibly happy and cheerful

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Spring breeze fills the whole face

**Traditional Chinese:** 滿面春風

**Register:** Positive · general

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Describe a smiling face after good news or success.

Appearance suggests happiness, not necessarily its exact cause.

## Understanding the expression

A gentle spring breeze gives the face a bright, relaxed atmosphere. The expression describes visible cheerfulness, usually through smiles and an open manner. It often appears when someone arrives after receiving good news or enjoying a success. Unlike an account of private joy, it focuses on what other people can observe. The observer may not know the reason, so avoid treating the happy appearance as proof of a particular event.

## Examples

她拿着录取通知，满面春风。

### Traditional Chinese

她拿著錄取通知，滿面春風。

tā ná zhe lù qǔ tōng zhī ， mǎn miàn chūn fēng 。

She beamed while holding her acceptance notice.

老板今天满面春风，看来生意不错。

### Traditional Chinese

老闆今天滿面春風，看來生意不錯。

lǎo bǎn jīn tiān mǎn miàn chūn fēng ， kàn lái shēng yì bú cuò 。

The boss looks cheerful today; business seems good.

爷爷见到老友，满面春风。

### Traditional Chinese

爺爺見到老友，滿面春風。

yé ye jiàn dào lǎo yǒu ， mǎn miàn chūn fēng 。

Grandpa beamed on seeing an old friend.

他满面春风地迎接客人。

### Traditional Chinese

他滿面春風地迎接客人。

tā mǎn miàn chūn fēng dì yíng jiē kè rén 。

He welcomed the guests with a cheerful smile.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E6%BB%BF%E9%9D%A2%E6%98%A5%E9%A2%A8)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=477&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [眉飞色舞 méi fēi sè wǔ Show delighted animation in expression ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/mei-fei-se-wu)

- [眉开眼笑 méi kāi yǎn xiào Show happiness openly in one's face ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/mei-kai-yan-xiao)

- [门当户对 mén dāng hù duì Match in family background or social standing ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/men-dang-hu-dui)

- [面面相觑 miàn miàn xiāng qù Look at one another in confusion or dismay ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/mian-mian-xiang-qu)

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