喜出望外

xǐchū-wàngwài

idiom HSK 7-9 #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 xǐchū-wàngwài.

He was overjoyed when he received the admission letter.

这个消息让全家人喜出望外。

Zhège xiāoxi ràng quánjiārén xǐchū-wàngwài.

This news made the whole family pleasantly surprised.

Stroke Order

喜 xǐ

出 chū

望 wàng

外 wài