# 兴高采烈

xìng gāo cǎi liè

Be cheerful and excited

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** High spirits and bright enthusiasm

**Traditional Chinese:** 興高采烈

**Register:** Positive · general

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

## When to use it

Describe lively happiness during an enjoyable event.

Best for energetic delight rather than solemn gratitude.

## Understanding the expression

The expression combines lifted spirits with a lively outward mood. It naturally describes people setting off on a trip, sharing good news, or joining a celebration. The happiness usually appears in movement, speech, or participation rather than remaining private. It can modify a verb with 地 or describe a group's atmosphere. Unlike quiet satisfaction, it suggests enough excitement to make the person's behavior noticeably animated and cheerful.

## Examples

孩子们兴高采烈地去郊游。

### Traditional Chinese

孩子們興高采烈地去郊遊。

hái zi men xìng gāo cǎi liè dì qù jiāo yóu 。

The children went on the outing in high spirits.

她兴高采烈地告诉我们录取消息。

### Traditional Chinese

她興高采烈地告訴我們錄取消息。

tā xìng gāo cǎi liè dì gào sù wǒ men lù qǔ xiāo xī 。

She excitedly told us the news of her admission.

大家兴高采烈地布置新办公室。

### Traditional Chinese

大家興高采烈地佈置新辦公室。

dà jiā xìng gāo cǎi liè dì bù zhì xīn bàn gōng shì 。

Everyone cheerfully decorated the new office.

爷爷拿着新鱼竿，兴高采烈地出门了。

### Traditional Chinese

爺爺拿著新魚竿，興高采烈地出門了。

yé ye ná zhe xīn yú gān ， xìng gāo cǎi liè dì chū mén le 。

Grandpa set out happily with his new fishing rod.

## 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=%E8%88%88%E9%AB%98%E9%87%87%E7%83%88)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=387&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [形影不离 xíng yǐng bù lí Stay very close and seldom apart ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xing-ying-bu-li)

- [幸灾乐祸 xìng zāi lè huò Take pleasure in another’s misfortune ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xing-zai-le-huo)

- [休戚相关 xiū qī xiāng guān Have closely linked interests and fortunes ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xiu-qi-xiang-guan)

- [袖手旁观 xiù shǒu páng guān Watch without offering help ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xiu-shou-pang-guan)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 心直口快 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xin-zhi-kou-kuai) [Next idiom 星罗棋布 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xing-luo-qi-bu)