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xǐ 喜 chū 出 wàng 望 wài 外

喜出望外 xǐ chū wàng wài

overjoyed at an unexpected good turn; pleasantly surprised

Literally: joy exceed expectation outside

Intermediate 😊 Feelings & moods
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Origin

From a letter by Su Shi, who wrote that a friend's unexpected visit left him 'joyful beyond what he had hoped'.

How to use it

Predicate; positive. Often 让人喜出望外 or 喜出望外地.

Example sentences

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  1. 收到大学的录取通知书，她喜出望外。
    Shōudào dàxué de lùqǔ tōngzhīshū, tā xǐ chū wàng wài.
    When she received the university admission letter she was overjoyed.
    receive university (particle) admission notice, she joy exceed expectation outside
  2. 没想到老朋友突然来看我，真让我喜出望外。
    Méi xiǎngdào lǎo péngyou tūrán lái kàn wǒ, zhēn ràng wǒ xǐ chū wàng wài.
    I never expected my old friend to drop by; it was a delightful surprise.
    not expect old friend suddenly come see me, truly make me joy exceed expectation outside

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