How to Say “I am happy” in Chinese
Feelings and opinions
"I am happy" in Chinese is 我很高兴 (wǒ hěn gāo xìng). 我很高兴 (wǒ hěn gāoxìng) is "I am happy" with the formal nuance of "pleased / glad"; used in professional and polite contexts. 开心 (kāixīn, "open heart") is the warmer everyday "happy / having fun"; for casual conversation, family, friends.
Primary translation
我很高兴
wǒ hěn gāo xìng
Traditional: 我很高興
Variants by register
Casual
我开心
wǒ kāi xīn
When to use it
我很高兴 (wǒ hěn gāoxìng) is "I am happy" with the formal nuance of "pleased / glad"; used in professional and polite contexts. 开心 (kāixīn, "open heart") is the warmer everyday "happy / having fun"; for casual conversation, family, friends. 快乐 (kuàilè) is the holiday / wish-version; 生日快乐 (happy birthday), 新年快乐 (happy new year). For deep contentment, 幸福 (xìngfú, blissful happiness) describes life states, not moments.
Example sentences
我今天很开心。
Wǒ jīntiān hěn kāixīn.
I am happy today.
生日快乐！
Shēngrì kuàilè!
Happy birthday!
我很高兴见到你。
Wǒ hěn gāoxìng jiàndào nǐ.
I am pleased to meet you.
Related phrases
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