noun / adjective HSK 5
Traditional 憤怒
anger · rage · fury · angry · furious
Meaning
愤怒 describes intense anger or wrath, representing a strong emotional state of displeasure and hostility. It combines 愤 (indignant, resentful) with 怒 (angry), intensifying the meaning to convey deep, sometimes righteous anger rather than mild irritation.
Usage
This is a formal, somewhat literary term more common in written Chinese than casual conversation. For everyday speech, people often use 生气 instead. 愤怒 appears frequently in news reports, literature, and formal contexts to describe serious anger or outrage.
Examples
- 01他的话让我感到非常愤怒。.His words made me feel very angry.
- 02民众对政府的决定表示愤怒。.The public expressed anger at the government's decision.
Characters
Common collocations
- 感到愤怒to feel angry
- 充满愤怒filled with anger
- 愤怒的情绪angry emotions
- 表达愤怒to express anger
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters contain the heart radical (心/忄), indicating emotions. 愤 originally depicted pent-up resentment, while 怒 showed a heart filled with anger, sometimes depicted with a slave forced to work, suggesting suppressed rage.