How to Write 欢 (huān) — Meaning “Happy / Joyous”

Picture a friend waving both hands (又) and yawning (欠) with a big smile because they are so happy to see you. This image of waving and yawning with joy helps you remember that 欢 means 'happy' or 'joyous'.

Write the left part 又 first (horizontal, left-falling, right-falling), then the right part 欠 (short left-falling, horizontal hook, left-falling, right-falling). A common mistake is making the two left-falling strokes inside 欠 the same length—remember the first one should be shorter.

The key visual difference is the left side: 欢 has 又 (hand), 欠 stands alone with no left radical, and 次 uses 冫 (two dots) on the left. Meaning-wise, 欠 means 'to owe' or 'to lack', 次 means 'next' or 'order', while 欢 means 'happy'.

欢 appears in everyday words like 喜欢 (to like), 欢迎 (welcome), and 欢乐 (joyful). Culturally, you will often hear 欢迎 when greeting guests or in signs, and 欢乐 is frequently used during festivals and celebrations to express happiness.

Common words containing 欢 include: 喜欢 (xǐ huān) — To like; 欢迎 (huān yíng) — Welcome; 欢乐 (huān lè) — Joyful / Happy.