喜出望外

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Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"喜出望外" is a four-character Chinese idiom used to express a feeling of joy that exceeds one's expectations. It literally means "joy comes out beyond hope," indicating a pleasant surprise or happiness that goes beyond what was anticipated.

Contexts

This phrase is often used in everyday conversation when someone receives unexpectedly good news or experiences a positive outcome that surpasses their hopes. It is typically used in formal or semi-formal contexts and conveys a strong emotional reaction.

Common Collocations

Usage Tips

When using 喜出望外, the speaker implies that the happiness is not just ordinary but significantly beyond what was hoped for. It is stronger than simply being happy or pleased. Avoid confusing it with 喜悦 (xǐyuè), which means joy but without the nuance of surprise. 喜出望外 always carries the sense of an unexpected positive outcome.

Example Sentences

Upon hearing the news that he passed the exam, he was overjoyed and almost

The arrangements for this trip were even better than I imagined; I was truly

Receiving an unexpected gift, she was overjoyed and so moved that she was