verb HSK 5
Traditional 發洩
xiè
to give vent to · to let off steam · to vent (emotions) · to release (frustration)

Meaning

发泄 means to release or vent pent-up emotions, typically negative ones like anger, frustration, or stress. It describes the act of expressing these feelings outwardly rather than keeping them bottled up inside. The word carries a sense of relieving psychological pressure through emotional expression.

Usage

发泄 is commonly used when talking about releasing negative emotions in a cathartic way. It can describe venting anger at someone (发泄愤怒), letting off steam after a stressful day, or expressing frustration. While the release itself is natural, the word sometimes implies the venting might be excessive or inappropriately directed at others. Common patterns include 发泄情绪 (vent emotions) and 发泄不满 (vent dissatisfaction).

Examples

  1. 01
    他在网上发泄对公司的不满。
    zài wǎng shàng xiè duì gōng de mǎn.
    He vented his dissatisfaction with the company online.
  2. 02
    别把你的坏情绪发泄在家人身上。
    Bié de huài qíng xiè zài jiā rén shēn shàng.
    Don't take out your bad mood on your family members.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 发泄情绪
    xiè qíng
    to vent one's emotions
  • 发泄不满
    xiè mǎn
    to vent dissatisfaction
  • 发泄愤怒
    xiè fèn
    to vent anger
  • 发泄压力
    xiè
    to release stress

Antonyms

Origin

The combination literally means 'to send out and let leak,' creating the image of emotions flowing outward like water being released. Both characters involve the idea of something internal being expressed or released externally.

Related