兴高采烈
兴高采烈 (xìng gāo cǎi liè) literally means “high spirits and exuberance” and expresses “joyful enthusiasm”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: xing gao cai lie, xing gao cai lie,兴高采烈 meaning, 兴高采烈 in english
Joyful enthusiasm
Pronunciation: xìng gāo cǎi liè Literal meaning: High spirits and exuberance
Origin & Usage
The idiom 兴高采烈 (xìng gāo cǎi liè) is commonly used in classical Chinese literature to describe a state of high spirits and exuberance. The phrase originates from the work 《文心雕龙·体性》 by Liu Xie during the Southern Dynasties period, where he described the character of Ji Kang, a member of the 'Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove' during the Wei and Jin dynasties. Ji Kang was known for his exceptional literary talent and bold personality, which Liu Xie encapsulated with the phrase '兴高而采烈' to convey his high-spirited and vibrant nature. The characters 兴 (xìng) and 高 (gāo) together mean 'high spirits,' while 采 (cǎi) and 烈 (liè) denote 'vividness' and 'intensity.' In modern usage, this idiom is employed to describe someone who is in a state of great joy and enthusiasm, often in response to a particularly happy event.
Examples
English: "The children were in high spirits, celebrating their victory with laughter and cheer."
Chinese: 孩子们兴高采烈地庆祝他们的胜利，笑声不断。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 兴高采烈 mean in English?
兴高采烈 (xìng gāo cǎi liè) literally translates to “High spirits and exuberance” and is used to express “Joyful enthusiasm”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 兴高采烈 used?
Situation: The children were in high spirits, celebrating their victory with laughter and cheer.
What is the pinyin for 兴高采烈?
The pinyin pronunciation for 兴高采烈 is “xìng gāo cǎi liè”.