喜出望外
喜出望外 (xǐ chū wàng wài) literally means “joy beyond expectation” and expresses “be pleasantly surprised”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: xi chu wang wai, xi chu wang wai,喜出望外 meaning, 喜出望外 in english
Be pleasantly surprised
Pronunciation: xǐ chū wàng wài
Literal meaning: Joy beyond expectation
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes joy (喜) that goes beyond (出) what one hoped for (望外). It captures the delight of receiving something better than expected. The phrase appeared in texts describing moments of unexpected good fortune that exceeded all hopes. Modern usage describes pleasant surprises, windfalls, and any positive outcome that surpasses anticipation.
Examples
English: "She was pleasantly surprised by the unexpected promotion."
Chinese: 意外的升职让她喜出望外。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 喜出望外 mean in English?
喜出望外 (xǐ chū wàng wài) literally translates to “Joy beyond expectation” and is used to express “Be pleasantly surprised”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 喜出望外 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving be pleasantly surprised.
What is the pinyin for 喜出望外?
The pinyin pronunciation for 喜出望外 is “xǐ chū wàng wài”.