Chinese phrases
How to say excited in Chinese
Excited in Chinese is 激动 (jī dòng) when a strong feeling rises up, and 兴奋 (xīng fèn) when you are full of energy. For something ahead, such as a trip, say 期待 (qī dài), “to look forward to.”
激动
excited; moved
Ways to say excited
激动
Everydayexcited; moved
A strong feeling that rises up: good news, meeting a star, a wedding speech. It can also mean worked up or angry.
兴奋
Everydayexcited; thrilled
Full of energy: kids before a trip, fans before a match. 兴奋得睡不着 means “too excited to sleep.”
期待
Everydayto look forward to
Excited about something ahead: 我很期待这次旅行, “I’m excited about this trip.”
好期待
With friendscan’t wait!
Short and warm, in chats and with friends, when plans are made.
等不及了
With friendsI can’t wait
Spoken: you want it to happen now.
迫不及待
Writteneager; can’t wait
An idiom for eagerness, common in writing and in longer sentences.
Common mistakes
别激动 is not “don’t get excited”
It means “calm down,” said to someone who is upset or angry. 他很激动 can also mean he is worked up, not happy. The situation tells you which.
兴奋 with an object
English says “excited about the trip.” 兴奋 takes no object, so 我很兴奋这次旅行 is wrong. Say 我很期待这次旅行.
The night before
明天就去北京了，好期待！
Leon: I go to Beijing tomorrow. I can’t wait!
第一次去吗？
Qiqi: Is it your first time?
对，兴奋得睡不着。
Leon: Yes. I’m too excited to sleep.
