春风满面

Pronunciation: chūn fēng mǎn miàn Literal meaning: Spring wind fills the face

Origin & Usage

A face (面) filled (满) with spring breeze (春风) — the look of someone whose good humour is visible before they speak. The comparison is to weather rather than to expression: the warmth is taken to be radiating outward rather than performed. It is also written 满面春风, with the halves reversed and the sense unchanged. It describes somebody visibly pleased and at ease, often a host.

Examples

English: "She returned from vacation looking refreshed and happy."

Chinese: 她度假回来春风满面。