happy

/ˈhæpi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈhæpi/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈha-pē/ (ame, mw)

happy — adjective

  • happypositive
  • happiercomparative
  • happiestsuperlative

1. experiencing a strong feeling of pleasure, contentment, or joy; showing this fee

1.形容詞A1
釋義

experiencing a strong feeling of pleasure, contentment, or joy; showing this feeling through your expression or behaviour.

例句

The children looked happy when they saw the pile of presents under the tree.

collocation: look happy + reason for happiness

Ayesha felt happy about her new job at the local library.

pattern: feel happy about + noun phrase

同義詞
  • glad

    more focused on relief or a specific reason; less intense than 'happy'

  • pleased

    implies satisfaction, especially with a result or someone's behaviour; slightly more formal

  • cheerful

    describes a lasting mood or personality, not a reaction to a specific event

  • content

    a quieter, more settled form of happiness without strong excitement

反義詞
  • sad

    the most direct opposite; feeling unhappiness or sorrow

  • unhappy

    the direct negation, describing a lack of pleasure or satisfaction

文法句型

happy + about/with + noun phrase

happy + that-clause

happy + to-infinitive

用法筆記

Common with prepositions 'about' (for specific events) and 'with' (for ongoing situations). 'I am happy with my salary' means satisfaction over time; 'I am happy about the news' means a reaction to a specific event.

常見錯誤

❌I am very happy for my new car.
✅I am very happy with my new car.
💡Use 'with' (not 'for') to express satisfaction about something you have.
❌She was happy because she passed the exam.' (correct but wordy)
✅She was happy to pass the exam.
💡Use 'happy + to-infinitive' for a more natural alternative to a 'because' clause.

2. used in expressions of good wishes to someone on a special occasion, such as a b

2.形容詞A1
釋義

used in expressions of good wishes to someone on a special occasion, such as a birthday, holiday, or anniversary.

例句

We all sang and wished Quinn a happy birthday.

fixed phrase: happy birthday

The family gathered at midnight to wish each other a happy New Year.

fixed phrase: happy New Year

文法句型

Happy + [occasion]

用法筆記

This sense only appears before a noun naming a special event (birthday, New Year, anniversary, etc.). It is NOT used alone ('I wish you happy') or before everyday nouns ('happy Monday'). In informal writing, 'Happy B-day' is a common short form of 'Happy Birthday'.

常見錯誤

❌I wish you a happy.
✅I wish you a happy birthday.
💡The word 'happy' in this sense must be followed by the name of the occasion.
❌Happy Holiday!' (when referring to a single vacation day in the UK)
✅Happy Holidays!
💡Use the plural form when referring to a holiday season or multiple days.

3. describing a situation or event that has a good or favourable outcome, especiall

3.形容詞B2
釋義

describing a situation or event that has a good or favourable outcome, especially one that was not planned or expected.

例句

It was a happy coincidence that Jin and Kian ended up at the same university.

collocation: happy coincidence — an unplanned but welcome event

By a happy chance, the last two tickets were still available when we arrived.

collocation: happy chance — fortunate luck

同義詞
  • fortunate

    more formal and suggests a bigger or more important piece of luck

  • lucky

    more common in everyday speech; 'happy' is more literary in this sense

反義詞
  • unfortunate

    describes a situation with a bad outcome, opposite of a 'happy' coincidence

  • unlucky

    more common and direct than 'unfortunate'

文法句型

happy + noun (situation, accident, chance, coincidence)

用法筆記

Nearly always used before nouns like 'accident', 'chance', 'coincidence', or 'circumstance'. The word describes the outcome as favourable, not the event itself. It cannot describe a person ('a happy person' = sense 1, not sense 3).

常見錯誤

❌He is a happy man to win the lottery.' (ambiguous — sounds like sense 1, just a pleased man)
✅By a happy chance, he won the lottery.
💡Use 'happy' directly before the circumstance noun to convey the sense of luck.

❌ 'It was a happy accident that he died.' (contradiction) — 'Happy accident' only works for outcomes the speaker considers genuinely positive.

4. describing a choice of words, remark, or action that fits the situation perfectl

4.形容詞C1
釋義

describing a choice of words, remark, or action that fits the situation perfectly and creates a good effect.

例句

Élise's choice of words was not a happy one for the serious meeting.

pattern: a happy [choice / expression / remark]

The teacher found a happy way to end the argument between the two groups.

同義詞
  • appropriate

    more common and neutral; 'happy' adds a sense of elegance or cleverness

  • apt

    similar to 'happy' but used mainly for comments or descriptions, not general behaviour

  • felicitous

    very formal and rare; 'happy' is the more accessible alternative

反義詞
  • unfortunate

    commonly used to describe a poor choice of words, the opposite of a 'happy' expression

  • inappropriate

    broader and more direct; describes anything that does not fit the situation

文法句型

a happy + [choice/expression/remark/phrasing/medium]

用法筆記

Frequently used in the negative ('not a happy...') to criticise a choice as inappropriate. Mostly found in formal written English or careful speech. Avoid in casual conversation — 'good', 'appropriate', or 'suitable' sound more natural there.

常見錯誤

❌That was not a happy dress for the party.
✅That was not a happy choice of dress for the party.
💡The word describes the choice itself, not the object directly.

5. pleased and ready to do something that someone asks or expects of you, without n

5.形容詞B2
釋義

pleased and ready to do something that someone asks or expects of you, without needing persuasion.

例句

Niran was happy to help his elderly neighbour carry the shopping bags upstairs.

pattern: happy + to-infinitive expressing willingness

The staff were happy to work late to finish the order on time.

同義詞
  • willing

    more neutral; 'happy' adds warmth and eagerness

  • glad

    very similar, but 'glad to' is slightly more about personal relief while 'happy to' is about willingness

  • eager

    stronger level of enthusiasm; implies wanting to start immediately

反義詞
  • unwilling

    direct opposite; describes resistance or reluctance

  • reluctant

    suggests hesitation or doing something only because you have to

文法句型

happy + to-infinitive

用法筆記

This sense is almost always followed by a to-infinitive ('happy to help', 'happy to wait'). It is a polite way to express willingness — more gracious than 'willing to'. Common in customer service and formal offers: 'We would be happy to assist you.'

常見錯誤

❌I am happy for helping you.
✅I am happy to help you.
💡After 'happy' in this sense, use the to-infinitive, never the -ing form.
❌I will be happy to come if you want me to come.' (correct but repetitive)
✅I will be happy to come if needed.
💡More concise in formal contexts.