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March 24, 2026
快乐(快樂)kuàilè(kuai4le4)
快乐 (kuài lè) means 'happy' or 'merry.' It is commonly used to express feelings of joy and contentment in both personal and social contexts, such as celebrating accomplishments or enjoying time with friends. The term can also describe a general state of happiness or the presence of cheerful moments.
Frequency#596DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing happiness is often linked to social gatherings and celebrations, such as festivals and family reunions. Saying '快乐' is essential during occasions like birthdays, where the phrase '生日快乐' (shēngrì kuàilè) is commonly used.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'kuai' (快) rabbit hopping joyfully through a field, spreading 'le' (乐) as it bounces. The rabbit's speed and happiness represent the essence of being merry and joyful, making it easy to remember the pronunciation and meaning of 快乐.
Meanings of 快乐
kuàilè(kuai4le4)
1happy
2merry
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About 快乐
快乐Simplified
快樂Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#596Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 快乐
Podcast: 快乐
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AI Study Notes for 快乐
Quick Contrast
愉快 (yúkuài) — use 快乐 (kuàilè) for a more general or informal sense of happiness, while 愉快 (yúkuài) often conveys a more refined or formal feeling of pleasure.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'kuai' (快) rabbit hopping joyfully through a field, spreading 'le' (乐) as it bounces. The rabbit's speed and happiness represent the essence of being merry and joyful, making it easy to remember the pronunciation and meaning of 快乐.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 快乐 with other terms for happiness, like 开心 (kāi xīn), which is more about being cheerful. While 快乐 is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, ensure you use it in situations that warrant a general expression of joy. Be cautious with tones, as mispronouncing 'kuai' could change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 2 word, 快乐 connects well with other emotions and states of being you will learn at this level, such as 兴奋 (xīng fèn, excited) and 难过 (nán guò, sad). Focus on using 快乐 in sentences to express your feelings or describe situations that bring joy.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing happiness is often linked to social gatherings and celebrations, such as festivals and family reunions. Saying '快乐' is essential during occasions like birthdays, where the phrase '生日快乐' (shēngrì kuàilè) is commonly used.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes mistakenly use 快乐 as a noun, saying '我的快乐' (my happiness) incorrectly; instead, use '我的开心' or '我的快乐的感觉.' Additionally, mispronouncing the tones can lead to confusion with similar-sounding words.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 快乐
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Grammar Patterns of 快乐
快乐 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
He was greeted with a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday.
Example Sentences for 快乐 (10)
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1
迎接他的是大家齐唱《祝你生日快乐》，令他非常感动。
yíng jiē tā de shì dà jiā qí chàng《 《 zhù nǐ shēng rì kuài》， lè 》， líng tā fēi cháng。
He was greeted with a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday.
2
遗憾的是，这个快乐的故事结局却比较伤感。
yí hàn de shì， ， zhè gè kuài lè de gù shì jié jú què bǐ jiào shāng。
Unfortunately, this happy story finishes on a more sombre note.
3
为什么不接受新的培训，找一份让你更快乐的工作？
wéi shí mó bù jiē shòu xīn de péi xùn， ， zhǎo yī fèn ràng nǐ gēng kuài lè de gōng？
Why not retrain for a job which will make you happier?
4
我在伯明翰度过了一段非常快乐的时光。
wǒ zài bó míng hàn dù guò le yī duàn fēi cháng kuài lè de shí guāng。
I had a whale of a time in Birmingham.
5
他是个快乐、好脾气的孩子。
tā shì gè kuài lè、 、 hǎo pí qì de hái。
He was a happy, good-tempered child.
6
一般人认为有压力的事情在他看来却是快乐无比的事。
yī bān rén rèn wéi yǒu yā lì de shì qíng zài tā kàn lái què shì kuài lè wú bǐ de shì。
What normal people considered pressure was meat and drink to him.
7
我已经不是他记忆中那个似乎永远快乐无忧的人了。
wǒ yǐ jīng bù shì tā jì yì zhōng nà gè sì hū yǒng yuǎn kuài lè wú yōu de rén le。
I'm no longer the apparently eternally cheerful chappy he remembers.
8
我不想让他感到被抛弃而不快乐。
wǒ bù xiǎng ràng tā gǎn dào bèi pāo qì ér bù kuài lè。
I don't want him to feel forsaken and unhappy.
9
我只想祝福你圣诞快乐。
wǒ zhī xiǎng zhù fú nǐ shèng dàn kuài lè。
I just wanted to wish you a merry Christmas.
10
格雷戈里仍为香农的朝气、快乐和美丽着迷。
gé léi gē lǐ réng wéi xiāng nóng de zhāo qì、 、 kuài lè hé měi lì zháo。
Gregory was still enchanted with Shannon's youth and joy and beauty.
Cultural Notes for 快乐
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, expressing happiness is often linked to social gatherings and celebrations, such as festivals and family reunions. Saying '快乐' is essential during occasions like birthdays, where the phrase '生日快乐' (shēngrì kuàilè) is commonly used.
Frequently Asked Questions about 快乐
Yes, you can say someone is 快乐 to express that they are happy, often in social contexts.
快乐 is generally informal, but it can occasionally appear in formal contexts, especially in greetings.
快乐 is more about a general state of happiness, while 开心 is often used to describe a specific cheerful moment.
