愤怒 (fèn nù) — angry, indignant | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

A formal, written word for 'angry' — stronger and more literary than everyday 生气. Often used about moral outrage rather than ordinary irritation.

adjective

angryindignant

愤怒。
Tā tīng dào zhè ge xiāo xi hòu fēi cháng fèn nù.
He was very angry after hearing this news.
愤怒，。
Bú yào nà me fèn nù, xiān lěng jìng xià lái.
Don't be so angry; first calm down.
愤怒。
Tā fèn nù dì shuāi le mén.
He angrily slammed the door.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

愤fènindignant

愤 (indignant) and 怒 (angry) combine for strong anger.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 憤; 愤 is its simplified writing.

忄賁憤

Meaning part形符xíngfú

忄Written in full as心xīnheart

Sound part声符shēngfú

賁

賁bì憤fèn

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 憤 pairs 忄 (heart) with 賁, which gives the sound; the simplified 愤 is a later shorthand.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

心奴怒

Meaning part形符xíngfú

心心xīnheart

Sound part声符shēngfú

奴

Same sound today

怒 pairs 心 (heart) with 奴, which is used for its sound rather than its meaning of slave.

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