喜出望外

xǐchūwàngwài

idiom HSK 7 #29,411

Meanings

1 to be pleasantly surprised; to be overjoyed beyond expectations

Characters

to exceed; beyond

expectation; hope

Literally 'joy exceeds what was expected' — happiness that goes beyond what you hoped for.

Examples

收到录取通知书时，他喜出望外。

Shōudào lùqǔ tōngzhīshū shí, tā xǐchūwàngwài.

He was overjoyed when he received the admission letter.

这个消息让全家人喜出望外。

Zhège xiāoxi ràng quán jiā rén xǐchūwàngwài.

This news made the whole family pleasantly surprised.

Stroke Order

喜 xǐ

出 chū

望 wàng

外 wài