adjective / bound morpheme HSK 5
happy · joyful · delighted
Meaning
欣 expresses a sense of joy, happiness, or delight. It rarely appears alone in modern Mandarin and is almost always used as a bound morpheme in compound words. The character suggests an uplifted, pleased emotional state.
Usage
欣 is primarily found in formal or literary contexts as part of compound words like 欣赏 (to appreciate) or 欣喜 (delighted). It's not used alone in everyday conversation. Common in written Chinese, idioms, and polite expressions.
Examples
- 01我们欣赏了一场精彩的音乐会。.We enjoyed a wonderful concert.
- 02他欣然接受了这个邀请。.He gladly accepted the invitation.
Common collocations
- 欣然gladly, cheerfully
- 欢欣鼓舞elated and excited
- 欣欣向荣thriving, flourishing
Antonyms
Origin
The character 欣 originally depicted a person opening their mouth in joy or laughter, combining elements suggesting happiness and delight.