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March 24, 2026
怒nù(nu4)
The character 怒 (nù) primarily means 'anger' or 'fury'. It conveys intense emotions related to displeasure or rage, often used in contexts where someone is expressing strong feelings of frustration or irritation. Additionally, it can imply a sense of vigorousness or flourishing in certain phrases.
Strokes9Radical心Frequency#5358DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing anger publicly is often seen as a loss of face, making the concept of anger more complex. The character can be used in literature and art to depict intense emotions, reflecting the value placed on emotional control.
Memory Tip
Imagine someone with a face twisted in anger, their brows furrowed like a stormy sky. The character 怒 combines the radical for 'heart' (心) and 'anger' (怒) which can remind you that anger often comes from the heart. Picture a heart that is boiling over with emotions, leading to the sound 'nù'.
Meanings of 怒
nù(nu4)
1anger
2fury
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 怒
怒Simplified
9Strokes
心Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#5358Frequency Rank
Podcast: 怒
Podcast: 怒
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AI Study Notes for 怒
Quick Contrast
愤怒 (fèn nù) vs 生气 (shēng qì) — use 怒 for more intense or formal expressions of anger, while 生气 is more casual.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine someone with a face twisted in anger, their brows furrowed like a stormy sky. The character 怒 combines the radical for 'heart' (心) and 'anger' (怒) which can remind you that anger often comes from the heart. Picture a heart that is boiling over with emotions, leading to the sound 'nù'.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 怒; it is pronounced with a falling tone (nù). It is often used in more serious or formal contexts when discussing emotions, rather than casual conversations. Phrases like '愤怒' (fènnù) or '怒火' (nùhuǒ) can help in expanding vocabulary related to anger.
HSK Study Tips
Though 怒 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it's relevant for learners at HSK 4 and above, especially when discussing emotions. Students should focus on using it in context, such as in sentences expressing feelings to strengthen their understanding and usage.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing anger publicly is often seen as a loss of face, making the concept of anger more complex. The character can be used in literature and art to depict intense emotions, reflecting the value placed on emotional control.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 怒 (nù) with 愤 (fèn), which also means 'anger' but has a slightly different connotation. For example, saying '我很愤' is incorrect; instead, use '我很愤怒' (wǒ hěn fènnù) for clarity.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 怒
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Grammar Patterns of 怒
怒 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. 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.
In the union office, the mood gradually changed from resignation to rage.
10
在他的身后，愤怒的司机排成了长龙。
zài tā de shēn hòu， ， fèn nù de sī jī pái chéng le cháng。
Behind him was a long queue of angry motorists.
Cultural Notes for 怒
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, expressing anger publicly is often seen as a loss of face, making the concept of anger more complex. The character can be used in literature and art to depict intense emotions, reflecting the value placed on emotional control.
Word Family of 怒
Words Containing This Character20
愤怒fènnùangry憤怒
怒nùanger
激怒to infuriate
怒火rage
怒气anger怒氣
发怒fānùto get angry發怒
怒吼to bellow
恼怒resentful惱怒
喜怒哀乐xǐnùāilèfour types of human emotions, namely: happiness 歡喜|欢喜[huānxǐ], anger 憤怒|愤怒[fènnù], sorrow 悲哀[bēi'āi] and joy 快樂|快乐[kuàilè]喜怒哀樂
暴怒to fly into a rage
狂怒furious
恼羞成怒nǎoxiūchéngnùto fly into a rage out of humiliation惱羞成怒
怒气冲冲spitting anger (idiom); in a rage怒氣沖沖
怒不可遏unable to restrain one's anger (idiom); in a towering rage
迁怒to take one's anger out on sb (who does not deserve it)遷怒
怒斥to angrily rebuke
震怒to be furious
动怒to get angry動怒
心花怒放to burst with joy (idiom)
怒骂to curse in rage怒罵
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 愤怒 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 怒
You can say '我很怒' (wǒ hěn nù) to mean 'I am very angry'.
Yes, '怒火中烧' (nùhuǒ zhōng shāo) means 'burning with anger'.
