喜形于色

喜形於色
xǐxíngyúsè
idiom #57,397

Meanings

  1. 1 one's face lights up with joy
  2. 2 to beam with delight

Examples

HSK 4
Tīngdào hǎo xiāoxi, tā xǐxíngyúsè.
Hearing the good news, his face lit up with joy.
HSK 7-9
Tā zhòngjiǎng hòu xǐxíngyúsè, nán yǎn xīngfèn.
After winning the lottery she beamed with joy, unable to hide her excitement.

Tips

history
From 贞观政要 (Essentials of Government of the Zhenguan Era): 太宗闻其言,喜形于色 - the Tang emperor Taizong, upon hearing wise counsel, 'showed his joy on his face.' here means 'to manifest,' means 'facial expression.' Antonym: 不动声色 (betraying nothing).

Stroke Order

xíng