兴高采烈

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: xìng gāo cǎi liè
• English Translation: Extremely happy, very joyful, elated
• Idiom Composition: 「兴」（Interest, enthusiasm）＋「高」（High）＋「采」（Spirit, demeanor）＋「烈」（Intense, fervent）
• Meaning: Describes a state of being extremely joyful and elated. It is used to express great happiness and excitement that makes one's heart leap.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「兴高采烈」 contains the following nuances:

• Great joy: Expresses not just simple joy, but a great joy that wells up from the heart.
• Elation: Indicates a state of elevated mood and a leaping heart.
• Proactiveness: Implies a willingness to actively engage in something and a positive attitude.
• Outward expression of joy: Describes joy being expressed through facial expressions and demeanor, making it contagious to those around.

3. Usage

「兴高采烈」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Joyful events: Used when something joyful happens, such as good news, success, or a fun event.
  • Example:「孩子们兴高采烈地讨论着即将到来的春游。」
    （The children were elatedly discussing the upcoming spring outing.）
• Celebrations and festivities: Suitable for describing people's joy at celebrations such as birthdays, weddings, or holidays.
  • Example:「在节日的庆典上，人们兴高采烈地跳舞唱歌。」
    （At the festival celebration, people were joyfully dancing and singing.）
• Anticipation: Can also express the excited feeling of eagerly awaiting something.
  • Example:「听说要出去旅游，他们几个兴高采烈地开始计划行程。」
    （Hearing about the upcoming trip, they elatedly began planning the itinerary.）

Additional Examples:

1. 他兴高采烈地告诉我他被提升为部门经理了。
   （He elatedly told me he had been promoted to department manager.）
2. 她兴高采烈地跑进教室，手里拿着满分的试卷。
   （She joyfully ran into the classroom, holding a perfect score test paper.）
3. 听到这个好消息，大家都兴高采烈，相互祝贺。
   （Hearing this good news, everyone was elated and congratulated each other.）
4. 经过一番努力，我们终于完成了这个项目，大家都兴高采烈。
   （After much effort, we finally completed this project, and everyone was overjoyed.）
5. 看到孩子们兴高采烈的样子，我也感到非常开心。
   （Seeing the children's elated expressions, I also felt very happy.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Expression of joy in Chinese culture: In Chinese culture, it is preferred to express joy and happiness actively. '兴高采烈' is an idiom that reflects this cultural background.
• Formal/Casual: '兴高采烈' is a versatile idiom that can be used in both formal and casual settings.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 喜气洋洋 (xǐ qì yáng yáng): Very joyful, overflowing with happiness.
  • 欢天喜地 (huān tiān xǐ dì): Overjoyed, extremely happy.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 垂头丧气 (chuí tóu sàng qì): To be dejected, disappointed, to lose spirit.
  • 无精打采 (wú jīng dǎ cǎi): Lacking energy, spiritless, dispirited.

6. Summary

'兴高采烈' is a very positive idiom that expresses great joy and elation. In Chinese culture, it is preferred to express joy openly, so this idiom is used in various situations.