喜形于色 (xǐ xíng yú sè) — to be radiant with joy; to beam with pleasure

Definition

A formal chengyu meaning one's happiness shows clearly on one's face — 'joy written all over one's face.' Used in writing or narrative, not casual speech.

idiom

to be radiant with joyto beam with pleasure

Examples

，喜形于色。
Tā tīng dào hǎo xiāo xi hòu, xǐ xíng yú sè.
After hearing the good news, his face lit up with joy.
，喜形于色。
Kàn dào duō nián wèi jiàn de péng you, tā xǐ xíng yú sè.
Seeing a friend she hadn't met in years, she beamed with delight.
，喜形于色。
Ér zi kǎo shàng dà xué, fù mǔ xǐ xíng yú sè.
When their son was admitted to university, his parents were radiant with joy.

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.