发怒

• Pinyin: fā nù
• Hanzi breakdown: 发 = emit, express; 怒 = 奴 (slave, phonetic) + 心 (heart) — anger from the heart

Meaning

To get angry; to lose one's temper. Expressing anger openly, often suddenly or intensely.

More intense and sudden than 生气 (upset). Implies visible, outward expression of anger — raised voice, angry expression. Can be used for both justified and unjustified anger. Related: 怒火中烧 (burning with rage), 暴怒 (violent anger). Often considered something to control: 别发怒 (don't lose your temper).

Examples

1. 老板因为项目延误当众发怒，把文件都摔在了桌上。 The boss got angry in front of everyone because of the project delay and slammed the documents on the desk.
2. 她很少发怒，但这次实在是忍无可忍了。 She rarely gets angry, but this time she really couldn't take it anymore.
3. 一发怒就容易说错话，做错事，还是先冷静一下比较好。 When you lose your temper, you easily say and do the wrong things — it's better to calm down first.

Usage Guide

Context: emotions, conflict, everyday

Tone: intense

Do Say

• 你先别发怒，听我解释完再说。(Don't get angry yet; let me finish explaining first.)
• 他很少发怒，今天肯定是被气坏了。(He rarely loses his temper; he must be really upset today.)

Don't Say

• 用发怒来描述轻微的不满 (Don't use 发怒 for mild displeasure — it implies explosive anger; use 不高兴 or 有点生气 instead)

Origin & History

Compound of 发 (emit, express) + 怒 (anger). Literally 'emit anger.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal