we usually use 得 after verbs and before adv. whereas 地 is more likely to be used before verbs. in SOME cases we can use them interchangeably 走得很快= 很快地走 用力地踢=踢得用力 so your first sentence is correct. 他高兴地笑了。However we never say 他笑得很高兴，at least it sound a bit awkward to my ear. we say 他笑的很开心。

用“地”是指它后面接的是动词 用“的”是指后面接名词等

The trick is here: "高兴" can be used as a adj (it can combine with "地" so the phrase "高兴地" is a adv) or a noun, but "高兴" is also a verb (so this verb can combine with "得" and the phrase "高兴得" is a grammatical correctly adv). A adj "xx" can combine with a "得" to form a adv "xx得" (as you already knew), but many verbs can also combine with a "得" to form many advs. If word can both serve as a adj or a verb, then it can combine with either a "地" or "得" to form a adv! I think most Chinese verbal words can form verbs by such way (to add the suffix "得"). Generally, Chinese people just don't use special forms to distinguish noun, verb and adj that derived from the same word/stem. If a word have more than one grammatical usage, you can only tell "which part of speech"(词性) a word is by check the context. "他高兴地笑了" and "他高兴得笑了" have similar meaning. And the latter form is often used to express a slightly stronger emotional feeling. e.g.: 他 开心。 He is happy. 他 开心地 大叫。 He shouts happily. 他 开心得 大叫。 He is so happy that he shouts.

Hi, Eltoy "地“ and ”得“ both read ”de“ in Chinese. However, the function are totally different. Adj. + "地” + V. We use this structure when we want to dscribe the sense or feeling to do something. Such as: 他生气地走了。 我伤心的哭了。老师无奈的笑了。 V. + "得“ ＋ Adj. We use this structure to show the result which make by the Verb. Such as: 学生跑得很快。 他吃饭吃得很慢。雨下得很大。 I hope my explaination can help you to understand better. Cheers, Dora

Hello. 他高兴地笑了 = 他笑得很高兴。 We use "地” before an adj / noun. We use "得" before a verb. E.g: 我哭得很伤心 = 我伤心地哭。