How to Say “I am happy” in Chinese
Feelings and opinions · HSK 1
"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.