喜出望外
xǐ chū wàng wài
HSK 3.0 Level 7
Rare
Definitions
- 1. to be pleased beyond one's expectations (idiom)
- 2. overjoyed at the turn of events
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Usage notes
Common mistakes
This idiom is often misused to describe any happiness, but it specifically refers to unexpected joy. Avoid using it for expected positive outcomes.
Formality
This is a formal idiom, suitable for written Chinese or polite speech, not for casual conversation.
Example Sentences
1 shown听到这个好消息，他 喜出望外 。
He was overjoyed when he heard the good news.
AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.