To lift or raise something up with many hands. To rise, thrive, start; interest, excitement, or mood. Tiny sparks above a flat board, hoisted by two open hands (八) below.
Chinese feelings use 很 as a connector. 是 makes it sound like you are defining yourself as happiness itself.
For a neutral 'I am happy', 我高兴 sounds incomplete or argumentative. Add 很 to make it a normal statement.
Do not stack 不 and 很 like this. For a plain negative, just say 不高兴.
很 is not 'very' here; it glues the subject to the feeling.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Simple feeling | 我很高兴 | 我是高兴 |
| Neutral statement | 我很高兴 | 我高兴 (sounds incomplete) |
| Negative | 我不高兴 | 我不很高兴 |
高兴 uses xìng; the xīng reading means rise or flourish and is not needed for HSK 1.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Happy | 高兴 (gāoxìng) | 高xīng (wrong tone) |
| Asking | 你高兴吗? | 你高xīng吗? |
| Negative | 不高兴 | 不高xīng |
This heartwarming story shows how a small act of kindness can be passed on. Follow Gao Xianming as he learns an important lesson about generosity in his new city.
高先明不能上车，很 不高兴 。
高先明听了，觉得非常 高兴 。
安小语非常 高兴 ，对高先明说：“谢谢你！
Discover how a simple letter from a cookie seller led to an unexpected friendship with a famous scholar. This heartwarming story explores kindness and connection across social divides.
胡之适接到这封信，知道了他虽然只是一位卖饼干的，竟然能在业余勤奋自学；问的又是胡博士最关心的英美政治问题，更觉十分 高兴 ，便立即亲自写了一封回信。
““我还可以说，我们这个地方，有一个卖饼干的，每天在街上叫卖饼干，但他还愿意关心国家大事，关心英美的政治制度，希望国家能走上正确的道路──只这件奇事，已够使我乐观，使我 高兴 了。
他们一老一少，谈得很 高兴 。
Meet Gao Youpeng, a friendly Beijing coworker who welcomes the narrator with local dishes and a simple language-exchange plan. This warm HSK 2 story is perfect for first readings about work and friendship.
今天我认识了一个新朋友，真 高兴 。
我非常 高兴 。
This heartwarming story reveals the quiet devotion of a father. As you read, notice the repeated actions and how a simple cup of tea becomes meaningful.
大中很 高兴 ，做了一杯热茶，给老先生喝。
老先生看看大中，非常 高兴 。
Follow Dazhong, a busy worker in China, as he finds warmth and kindness at a small noodle shop. Practice everyday words for food, weather, and expressing gratitude.
老先生很 高兴 ，对大中说：“不客气，多吃一点儿。”
老先生看见大中来了，非常 高兴 。
A young man helps an old man look for his cat. But the real surprise is why the old man wanted to find the cat. Read on to learn about kindness and friendship.
听见有人和我说话，我觉得非常 高兴 。”
老先生听了，非常 高兴 。
This is a short dialogue about a shopping trip. A woman buys many things, including food, drinks, furniture, and pet food, while her boyfriend reminds her not to overspend.
我很不 高兴 ：“我也在给你买东西。
This playful HSK 1 poem twists words you already know and asks how an hour can be small. Read it aloud and laugh; a fun way to practice Chinese.
高兴 高不高，不对对不起。
Join a shopper on a quick trip to the store. You'll learn simple words for shopping and feelings in this easy-to-follow story.
我很不 高兴 。
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