Understanding "愤怒" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 愤怒
• Pinyin: fènnù
• Literal Meaning: "Raging anger" (愤: indignant; 怒: anger)
• Primary Meaning: Intense anger or fury, often with a sense of moral outrage or injustice.

2. In-depth Explanation

Context and Usage

"愤怒" (fènnù) describes a strong emotional reaction to something perceived as unfair, wrong, or offensive. It is more intense than general annoyance (生气, shēngqì) and often implies a deeper, more sustained feeling of indignation. It can be used for personal emotions or societal outrage (e.g., public anger over injustice).

Character Breakdown

• 愤 (fèn): Indignation, resentment; implies a sense of injustice.
• 怒 (nù): Anger, rage; a stronger, more explosive emotion.
  Together, they emphasize a combination of moral outrage and intense emotional anger.

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 他对不公平的待遇感到非常愤怒。
   Pinyin: Tā duì bù gōngpíng de dàiyù gǎndào fēicháng fènnù.
   English: He felt extremely angry about the unfair treatment.

2. Chinese: 群众的愤怒在社交媒体上爆发了。
   Pinyin: Qúnzhòng de fènnù zài shèjiāo méitǐ shàng bàofā le.
   English: The public's fury erupted on social media.

3. Chinese: 她的声音因愤怒而颤抖。
   Pinyin: Tā de shēngyīn yīn fènnù ér chàndǒu.
   English: Her voice trembled with anger.

Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, openly expressing anger (愤怒) is often discouraged in favor of maintaining harmony (和谐, héxié). However, justified anger, especially against injustice, is seen as valid. Historical texts and protests often frame "愤怒" as a collective moral response to corruption or oppression.

Conclusion

"愤怒" (fènnù) is a powerful word for intense anger, often tied to a sense of injustice. Remember it as a combination of indignation (愤) and rage (怒). Use it when describing deep, morally charged anger in personal or societal contexts.