20 Other Ways to Say “Happy to Hear That” (With Examples)

When someone shares good news, expressing that you’re “happy to hear that” is a wonderful way to show your support. However, relying solely on this phrase can make your responses feel repetitive. In this guide, we’ll explore 20 creative alternatives to “happy to hear that.”

By expanding your vocabulary, you can add warmth and variety to your conversations. Whether you’re responding to a colleague’s promotion or a friend’s exciting milestone, finding different ways to express your joy—beyond just saying “happy to hear that“—will enhance your emotional intelligence and strengthen your connections.

Let’s dive into these options and discover how you can convey your excitement in fresh, engaging ways. You’ll be saying “happy to hear that” in a whole new light!

Is It Good to Say “Happy to Hear That”?

While this phrase is a perfectly acceptable way to express joy in conversation, it can sometimes feel overused or lack personal touch. It’s a safe, neutral response that conveys positivity, but it might not always capture the depth of your enthusiasm.

Mixing it up with more vibrant alternatives to “glad to hear” can make your reactions feel more genuine and engaging. However, context matters – in formal settings or when you’re unsure of the appropriate level of excitement, “Happy to hear that” remains a reliable choice.

The key is to balance your communication techniques, using a variety of responses to keep your interactions fresh and sincere.

What to Say Instead of “Happy to Hear That”

• That’s fantastic news!
• I’m over the moon for you!
• What wonderful news!
• I’m thrilled to bits!
• That’s music to my ears!
• I couldn’t be happier for you!
• That’s absolutely brilliant!
• I’m delighted to hear that!
• That’s wonderful news – I’m so pleased for you!
• I’m doing a happy dance for you right now!
• You’ve made my day with that news!
• I’m grinning from ear to ear!
• That’s the best thing I’ve heard all week!
• I’m absolutely chuffed for you!
• This calls for a celebration!
• I’m doing cartwheels of joy over here!
• That’s absolutely phenomenal!
• I’m tickled pink to hear that!
• You’ve knocked my socks off with that news!
• I’m over the moon and back!

1. “That’s fantastic news!”

This enthusiastic response shows genuine excitement and can be perfect for both personal and professional settings. It’s a great way of expressing joy in conversation that feels natural and warm.

Example scenario (Email): Subject:

Re: Promotion Announcement

Dear Marcus,

That’s fantastic news! Your hard work and dedication have truly paid off. I’m thrilled to see you stepping into this new role as Senior Project Manager. Let’s grab coffee next week to celebrate your success.

Best regards, Samantha

2. “I’m over the moon for you!”

This idiom adds a touch of whimsy to your response and is an excellent way to show your excitement. It’s one of those joyful reply alternatives that can make the other person feel truly special.

Example scenario (Text message):

Friend: Just got accepted into my dream grad school program! You: OMG, I’m over the moon for you! 🌙✨ This calls for a celebration! When can we meet up?

3. “What wonderful news!”

This phrase is a classic alternative to “glad to hear” that works well in more formal situations. It’s elegant yet still conveys genuine pleasure.

Example scenario (Professional networking event):

Colleague: Our startup just secured its first round of funding. You: What wonderful news! Your team’s innovation is truly making waves in the industry. I’d love to hear more about your plans for expansion.

4. “I’m thrilled to bits!”

This British expression is a delightful way to show excitement. It’s one of those cheerful acknowledgment expressions that can add personality to your response.

Example scenario (Phone call with a close friend):

Friend: Remember that guy I’ve been crushing on? He just asked me out! You: Oh my gosh, I’m thrilled to bits for you! You two are going to have such a great time. Tell me everything – where’s he taking you?

5. “That’s music to my ears!”

This idiom is a beautiful way of saying that the news has made you very happy. It’s one of those synonyms for expressing delight that can add a poetic touch to your response.

Example scenario (Work meeting): Team member:

We’ve exceeded our quarterly targets by 20%. You: That’s music to my ears! Your strategic approach and hard work have really paid off. This calls for a team celebration – lunch is on me today!

6. “I couldn’t be happier for you!”

This phrase is a strong way of expressing genuine pleasure. It emphasizes the depth of your happiness for the other person’s success or good fortune.

Example scenario (Email to a mentee): Subject:

Re: Job Offer Accepted

Dear Liam,

I couldn’t be happier for you! Securing a position at Google is a remarkable achievement. Your dedication to honing your coding skills has truly paid off. I’m honored to have been part of your journey.

Warmest congratulations, Dr. Rodriguez

7. “That’s absolutely brilliant!”

This enthusiastic response is perfect for conveying happiness in dialogue. It’s a bit more casual and can be great for friendlier settings.

Example scenario (Social media comment): Friend’s post: Just ran my first marathon! Your comment: That’s absolutely brilliant, Sarah! 🏃‍♀️🏅 You’ve been training so hard for this. How does it feel to crush such a massive goal?

8. “I’m delighted to hear that!”

This phrase is a slightly more formal version of “happy to hear that” and works well in professional settings. It’s one of those positive reinforcement phrases that can make the other person feel valued.

Example scenario (Business meeting): Client: We’ve decided to renew our contract for another year. You: I’m delighted to hear that! Your trust in our services means a great deal to us. I look forward to continuing our partnership and achieving even greater results together.

9. “That’s wonderful news – I’m so pleased for you!”

This response combines joy with personal warmth. It’s a great way of expressing joy in conversation while also showing that you care about the person’s well-being.

Example scenario (Family gathering): Cousin: We’re expecting our first child! You: That’s wonderful news – I’m so pleased for you both! Parenthood is such an amazing journey. If you need any advice or just want to chat about baby stuff, I’m always here.

10. “I’m doing a happy dance for you right now!”

This playful response adds a touch of humor and visual imagery to your reaction. It’s one of those uplifting response variations that can bring a smile to the other person’s face.

Example scenario (Video call with a long-distance friend): Friend: I finally finished writing my novel! You: Starts wiggling in chair I’m doing a happy dance for you right now! Seriously, this is huge. You’ve been working on this for years. When can I get my hands on a copy?

11. “You’ve made my day with that news!”

This phrase shows how the other person’s good news has positively impacted you, making it a powerful way of expressing genuine pleasure.

Example scenario (Text message): Friend: Just got the all-clear from my doctor after months of treatment! You: You’ve made my day with that news! 🎉 I’ve been thinking about you so much. Let’s celebrate your health this weekend!

12. “I’m grinning from ear to ear!”

This vivid expression paints a picture of your happiness, making it a fun alternative to “glad to hear”.

Example scenario (Video call with a colleague): Colleague: Our proposal won the client contract! You: Smiling widely I’m grinning from ear to ear! Your presentation skills really sealed the deal. This is a game-changer for our department!

13. “That’s the best thing I’ve heard all week!”

This enthusiastic response emphasizes the significance of the news, making it one of those cheerful acknowledgment expressions that really pack a punch.

Example scenario (Coffee shop conversation): Friend: I finally paid off my student loans! You: That’s the best thing I’ve heard all week! Financial freedom is huge. We should toast to your accomplishment – next round’s on me!

14. “I’m absolutely chuffed for you!”

This British slang term is a delightful way to express happiness and is perfect for adding some flair to your joyful reply alternatives.

Example scenario (Social media comment): Friend’s post: Just got my dream job as a marine biologist! Your comment: I’m absolutely chuffed for you, Emma! 🐠🌊 Your passion for marine life has always been inspiring. Can’t wait to hear about your underwater adventures!

15. “This calls for a celebration!”

While not directly expressing happiness, this phrase implies joy and excitement, making it one of those uplifting response variations that can lead to further positive interaction.

Example scenario (Family dinner): Sibling: I just got engaged! You: This calls for a celebration! I’m so happy for you two. Tell us everything – how did they propose?

16. “I’m doing cartwheels of joy over here!”

This playful, exaggerated response is a great way to inject humor while expressing joy in conversation.

Example scenario (Phone call with a friend): Friend: Remember that book I’ve been writing? A publisher just picked it up! You: No way! I’m doing cartwheels of joy over here! Well, mentally at least – you know I can’t actually do cartwheels. When’s the launch party?

17. “That’s absolutely phenomenal!”

This emphatic response conveys a high level of excitement and admiration, making it perfect for acknowledging major achievements.

Example scenario (Professional networking event): Acquaintance: My startup just got featured in Forbes! You: That’s absolutely phenomenal! Your innovative approach to sustainable fashion is really turning heads. I’d love to hear more about your journey to this point.

18. “I’m tickled pink to hear that!”

This idiom is a charming way to express delight and can add a touch of whimsy to your positive feedback phrases.

Example scenario (Neighborhood barbecue): Neighbor: We’re expecting twins! You: Oh my goodness, I’m tickled pink to hear that! Two bundles of joy at once – how exciting! If you need any help preparing, just holler across the fence.

19. “You’ve knocked my socks off with that news!”

This colloquial expression conveys surprise and delight, making it a fun addition to your repertoire of enthusiastic reaction words.

Example scenario (Work meeting): Team member: Our new product launch exceeded projections by 200%! You: Wow, you’ve knocked my socks off with that news! Your marketing strategy was brilliant. This success is going to open up so many opportunities for us.

20. “I’m over the moon and back!”

This expression takes the common “over the moon” phrase a step further, emphasizing the intensity of your happiness. It’s a great way to show emotional intelligence in dialogue.

Example scenario (Email response): Subject: Re: We’re moving to your city!

Dear Olivia,

I’m over the moon and back! The thought of having you and Mark just a few blocks away is incredible. I can’t wait for spontaneous coffee dates and weekend adventures. Let me know when you’re house hunting – I’d love to show you around some great neighborhoods.

Ecstatically yours, Sophie

Mastering the Art of Positive Responses

Learning alternatives to “happy to hear that” can significantly enhance your emotional intelligence in dialogue. By varying your responses, you show active listening and genuine engagement—key aspects of supportive communication. Instead of just saying “happy to hear that,” consider using phrases that resonate more with the context.

Effective use of these phrases relies on empathetic listening. Consider the context and your relationship with the person sharing news. A formal phrase suits a professional setting, while a casual, excited response fits close friends or family. When you express that you’re “happy to hear that,” ensure your tone matches your words for authenticity.

These positive phrases are not just about words; they convey genuine emotion. Your tone, facial expressions, and body language all play a role in expressing joy. When you’re truly happy for someone, let it show in your demeanor. Using alternatives to “happy to hear that” can amplify your emotional connection.

Incorporating these enthusiastic phrases into daily communication also serves as great conversation starters, inviting the other person to share more details about their good news and fostering deeper connections.

Mastering these response options is particularly useful in written communication, where tone can be challenging to convey. Using varied phrases in emails or social media helps you avoid sounding repetitive or insincere.

As you practice these warm statements, they will become more natural over time, and you may even develop unique ways to express delight. Expanding your joyful response repertoire, including different ways to say “happy to hear that,” enriches your interactions and strengthens relationships.