Definition

1. Adjective (Reduplicative form): A lively, cheerful, and excited state of mind, often expressed through laughter, smiles, and animated behavior. It describes a visible, bubbling happiness, usually about something specific or in a playful context.

Usage

• This word is a reduplicative form (từ láy) of "hí hửng," which intensifies the feeling of glee and adds a playful, rhythmic quality to the expression.
• It is used to describe someone's joyful and excited demeanor, often in anticipation of something good or while enjoying a fun moment.
• It is typically used in informal, spoken Vietnamese to paint a vivid picture of cheerful excitement.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Thằng bé hí ha hí hửng khoe với mẹ chiếc xe đồ chơi mới. (The little boy was gleefully excited showing his mother his new toy car.)
  • Nghe tin đó, cả nhà ai cũng hí ha hí hửng. (Hearing that news, everyone in the family was bubbling with cheerful excitement.)
  • Cô ấy bước ra từ phòng thi với vẻ mặt hí ha hí hửng. (She walked out of the exam room with a bright, gleeful expression.)

Advanced Usage

• The word is almost exclusively used in its full reduplicative form "hí ha hí hửng." Using just "hí hửng" conveys a similar meaning but with slightly less intensity and playful rhythm.

Variants and Related Words

• Hí hửng (adj): Cheerful, gleeful, pleased. The base form with the same core meaning.
  • Nó hí hửng vì được điểm cao. (He was gleeful because he got a high score.)

Synonyms

• Hớn hở (adj): Beaming, radiant with joy.
• Tươi cười (v/phr): Smiling cheerfully.
• Vui vẻ (adj): Happy, cheerful (a more general term).
• Phấn khởi (adj): Elated, in high spirits.

Related Idioms

• Mặt hí ha hí hửng: A face lit up with gleeful excitement.
  • Thấy quà, nó có mặt hí ha hí hửng. (Seeing the gift, his face lit up with gleeful excitement.)

1. xem hí hửng (láy)