Glad and Happy

Today we answer a question from Morgan in China. Morgan writes:

Question:

I have a question about the words "glad" and "happy." In which situations would I use them? I am confused¹ by these words.

Thanks so much. -- Morgan, China.

Answer:

Dear Morgan,

Thank you for writing! First, let us take a look at the two words and see how they are the same and how they are different.

Use either ‘happy' or ‘glad'

"Glad" and "happy" both share the meaning of the feeling of pleasure, joy or delight². Sometimes the two words can be used the same way. In sentences with the words "be," "look" or "feel," "glad" and "happy" are very similar, so either one can be used. Here are two examples:

He feels glad about how things turned out.

She looks happy with her coat.

You can also use "glad" or "happy" when you want to say that someone is willing³ to do something. For example:

I would be glad to join you.

I would be happy to help you.

Use ‘happy' only

One way in which you would use "happy" and not "glad" is when you are describing a feeling of pleasure and enjoyment⁴ because of your life or situation. For example:

She was a very happy child.

Happy is better in this sentence for this reason: the child was happy because of conditions in her situation. It was more than just one event. If you were to say that the child was glad, it would be a temporary feeling. For example:

She was very glad when her father came home.

Another time when you would use "happy" instead of "glad" is when it is used as an adjective⁵ -- changing the meaning of the following noun⁶. Here are a few examples:

I could hear the child's happy laughter⁷ from the other room.

They have had a very happy marriage.

Those were happy times.

Another way in which "happy" is used is when it is used as part of a greeting or wish for someone on a holiday or special occasion⁸. You would always use "happy," not "glad," for a greeting like this:

We are wishing you happy holidays!

I hope that helps to answer your question, Morgan.

What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at [email protected].

And that's Ask a Teacher

Words in This Story

joy - n. a feeling of great happiness

delight - n. a strong feeling of happiness; great pleasure or satisfaction

pleasure - n. a feeling of happiness, enjoyment, or satisfaction; a pleasant or pleasing feeling

1 confused   

adj.困惑的，烦恼的

参考例句：

• They asked so many questions that they confused me.他们问了许多问题，都把我弄糊涂了。
• A wise man is never confused.智者不惑。

2 delight   

n.高兴，愉快；vt.给（某人）乐趣；使愉快；vi.喜爱

参考例句：

• Your new book is a real delight!你的新书真讨人喜欢！
• He takes delight in annoying me.他以惹我生气为乐。

3 willing   

adj.愿意的，自愿的，乐意的，心甘情愿的

参考例句：

• We never lack food and clothing if we're willing to work.如果我们愿意工作,就不会缺吃少穿。
• He's quite willing to pay the price I ask.他很愿意照我的要价付钱。

4 enjoyment   

n.乐趣；享有；享用

参考例句：

• Your company adds to the enjoyment of our visit. 有您的陪同，我们这次访问更加愉快了。
• After each joke the old man cackled his enjoyment.每逢讲完一个笑话，这老人就呵呵笑着表示他的高兴。

5 adjective   

n.形容词；adj.形容词的，用作形容词的

参考例句：

• Don't apply that adjective to me.不要用那个字眼来形容我。
• The adjective loose has several senses. 形容词loose有几个义项。

6 noun   

n.名词

参考例句：

• What kind of noun is this?这是哪类名词？
• This word is a collective noun.这个词是个集体名词。

7 laughter   

n.笑，笑声

参考例句：

• I don't know how my story caused so much laughter.我不知我的故事怎么引起如此大笑。
• The audience gave way to uncontrollable bursts of laughter.听众忍不住发出一阵阵笑声。

8 occasion   

n.场合，时机，机会，诱因，理由；vt.惹起，引起

参考例句：

• Her dress was too showy for such a formal occasion.在如此正式的场合，她的服装过分华丽了。
• Her tears were fought back on such an occasion.在这种场合下她忍住了眼泪。