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March 24, 2026
生气(生氣)shēngqì(sheng1qi4)
生气 (shēngqì) means to get angry or to take offense. It is commonly used to express feelings of anger in various contexts, whether in personal relationships or in response to frustrating situations. The character conveys both emotional and physical vitality, indicating a strong reaction to provocation.
Frequency#816DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing anger openly can be seen as a loss of face, so people often use 生气 cautiously in social interactions. Understanding how to navigate expressions of anger is crucial in maintaining harmony in relationships.
Memory Tip
Think of 生 (shēng) as 'life' and 气 (qì) as 'air' or 'energy.' Together, they symbolize the intense energy that arises when someone is angry, almost like a fire igniting. Picture a balloon (气) filled with life (生) that suddenly pops when too much air (anger) is forced inside!
Meanings of 生气
shēngqì(sheng1qi4)
1to get angry
2to take offense
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About 生气
生气Simplified
生氣Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#816Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 生气
Podcast: 生气
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AI Study Notes for 生气
Quick Contrast
愤怒 (fènnù) vs 生气 (shēngqì): Use 生气 for more casual or everyday anger, while 愤怒 conveys a deeper, more intense rage.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 生 (shēng) as 'life' and 气 (qì) as 'air' or 'energy.' Together, they symbolize the intense energy that arises when someone is angry, almost like a fire igniting. Picture a balloon (气) filled with life (生) that suddenly pops when too much air (anger) is forced inside!
Usage Notes
Be cautious of the tone when using 生气, as it can sound too strong in formal contexts; consider using it in informal settings with friends or family. Common collocations include '生气了' (shēngqìle - got angry) and '别生气' (bié shēngqì - don't be angry). Avoid using it to describe minor annoyances, as it implies a stronger emotional reaction.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 生气 connects well with other emotional vocabulary like 高兴 (gāoxìng - happy) and 开心 (kāixīn - joyful). Students should focus on using it in sentences and understanding its emotional connotation to enhance their conversational skills.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing anger openly can be seen as a loss of face, so people often use 生气 cautiously in social interactions. Understanding how to navigate expressions of anger is crucial in maintaining harmony in relationships.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 生气 with other emotional terms, leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我生气了' (wǒ shēngqìle - I am angry) is correct, but using it in a trivial context like '我生气因为下雨' (wǒ shēngqì yīnwèi xiàyǔ - I am angry because it rained) is an exaggeration.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 生气
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Grammar Patterns of 生气
生气 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
"I can't see it's any of your business," he raged.
8
“莫伊拉跟你说什么啦？”利兹突然生气地质问道。
“ “ mò yī lā gēn nǐ shuō shí mó？” lā ？” lì zī tū rán shēng qì dì zhì。
"What did Moira tell you?" Liz demanded with a flash of anger.
9
简老是惹她生气，她有时就拿我出气。
jiǎn lǎo shì rě tā shēng qì， ， tā yǒu shí jiù ná wǒ chū。
Jane's always annoying her and she takes it out on me sometimes.
10
真是太没头脑了，我要告诉他我很生气。
zhēn shì tài méi tóu nǎo le， ， wǒ yào gào sù tā wǒ hěn shēng。
How very thoughtless. I'll give him a piece of my mind.
Cultural Notes for 生气
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, expressing anger openly can be seen as a loss of face, so people often use 生气 cautiously in social interactions. Understanding how to navigate expressions of anger is crucial in maintaining harmony in relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions about 生气
It's best to avoid using 生气 in formal communications, as it may come off as too emotional. Instead, consider more neutral phrases.
While primarily about anger, 生气 can also refer to taking offense, so context is important.
Consider using 不高兴 (bù gāoxìng - not happy) for milder feelings instead of 生气.
