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March 24, 2026
愤(憤)fèn(fen4)
The character 愤 (fèn) conveys feelings of anger, indignation, or resentment. It is commonly used in contexts where someone feels wronged or upset about an injustice, and can also imply a strong emotional response to negative situations. This character captures both the emotion itself and the act of expressing that anger.
Strokes12Radical忄Frequency#15717DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing anger is often viewed through a lens of social harmony, making the term 愤 particularly relevant in discussions about injustice or societal issues. This character might be encountered in literature addressing themes of rebellion or social critique.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person feeling so angry that they can't contain their emotions and instead 'fèn' (pronounced like 'fen') starts to boil over like a pot of water. The left side of the character is the radical for 'feeling' or 'emotion' (忄), while the right part suggests the intensity of that feeling, helping you visualize how strong anger can be.
Meanings of 愤
fèn(fen4)
1indignant
2anger
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 愤
愤Simplified
憤Traditional
12Strokes
忄Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#15717Frequency Rank
Podcast: 愤
Podcast: 愤
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AI Study Notes for 愤
Quick Contrast
愤 (fèn) vs 怒 (nù) — use 愤 when expressing indignation over perceived injustice, while 怒 is more general for anger.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person feeling so angry that they can't contain their emotions and instead 'fèn' (pronounced like 'fen') starts to boil over like a pot of water. The left side of the character is the radical for 'feeling' or 'emotion' (忄), while the right part suggests the intensity of that feeling, helping you visualize how strong anger can be.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 愤 with similar characters like 怒 (nù), which also means anger but carries a slightly different nuance. This term is more formal and often used in written contexts, so it may not be appropriate in casual spoken conversation. Pay attention to the tone; using a flat tone on this character can change its meaning.
HSK Study Tips
Though not included in the HSK levels, understanding 愤 can help students grasp the emotional vocabulary often found in literature and formal discussions. Focus on its usage in phrases like 愤怒 (fènnù, anger) and how it combines with other words to express complex feelings.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing anger is often viewed through a lens of social harmony, making the term 愤 particularly relevant in discussions about injustice or societal issues. This character might be encountered in literature addressing themes of rebellion or social critique.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 愤 with other anger-related words. For example, saying '我很愤怒' (wǒ hěn fèn) instead of '我很愤怒' (wǒ hěn fènnù) is incorrect; you should always use the correct collocation.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 愤
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Grammar Patterns of 愤
愤 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 4 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
“你什么意思啊？”我问，替利迪感到____愤不平。
"What do you mean?" I asked, offended on Liddie's behalf.
Example Sentences for 愤 (10)
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1
“你什么意思啊？”我问，替利迪感到愤愤不平。
“ “ nǐ shí mó yì sī？” ā ？”， wǒ wèn ， tì lì dí gǎn dào fèn。
"What do you mean?" I asked, offended on Liddie's behalf.
2
可能是愤怒蒙蔽了他的眼睛，也可能是他判断有误。
kě néng shì fèn nù mēng bì le tā de yǎn jīng， ， yě kě néng shì tā pàn duàn yǒu。
Perhaps anger had clouded his vision, perhaps his judgment had been faulty.
3
他们仅为此付给他10英镑，这真让他感到愤怒。
tā mén jǐn wéi cǐ fù gěi tā10 10 yīng， bàng ， zhè zhēn ràng tā gǎn dào。
They paid him only £10 for it and it really rankled.
4
这一决定激起了妇女和人权组织的强烈愤慨。
zhè yī jué dìng jī qǐ le fù nǚ hé rén quán zǔ zhī de qiáng liè fèn kǎi。
The decision provoked outrage from women and human rights groups.
5
这一遭遇实在让他满腔愤慨。
zhè yī zāo yù shí zài ràng tā mǎn qiāng fèn kǎi。
He is truly outraged about what's happened to him.
6
正如一位愤世嫉俗的旧主顾所说的那样，“他很可能把差额塞进了自己的腰包！”
zhèng rú yī wèi fèn shì jí sú de jiù zhǔ gù suǒ shuō de nà yàng，“ ，“ tā hěn kě néng bǎ chà é sāi jìn le zì jǐ de yāo！”
As one former customer said cynically, "He's probably pocketed the difference!"
7
他还有很多强压的愤怒要发泄。
tā huán yǒu hěn duō qiáng yā de fèn nù yào fā xiè。
In the union office, the mood gradually changed from resignation to rage.
9
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.
10
我那时是个目空一切、自以为是的小学术愤青。
wǒ nà shí shì gè mù kōng yī qiē、 、 zì yǐ wéi shì de xiǎo xué shù fèn。
I was a thorough little academic snob.
Cultural Notes for 愤
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, expressing anger is often viewed through a lens of social harmony, making the term 愤 particularly relevant in discussions about injustice or societal issues. This character might be encountered in literature addressing themes of rebellion or social critique.
Word Family of 愤
Words Containing This Character20
愤怒fènnùangry憤怒
气愤qìfènindignant氣憤
愤fènanger憤
愤世嫉俗to be cynical憤世嫉俗
愤慨to resent憤慨
悲愤grief and indignation悲憤
愤恨to hate憤恨
愤然irate憤然
愤愤不平to feel indignant憤憤不平
泄愤to give vent to anger洩憤
激愤furious激憤
愤愤extremely angry憤憤
义愤填膺righteous indignation fills one's breast (idiom); to feel indignant at injustice義憤填膺
愤懑depressed憤懣
义愤righteous indignation義憤
公愤public anger公憤
发愤to make a determined effort發憤
怨愤resentment and indignation怨憤
羞愤indignant羞憤
发愤图强fāfèntúqiángto be strongly determined to succeed (idiom)發憤圖強
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 愤怒 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 愤
While it is more common in formal contexts, you can use it in conversations when discussing serious topics related to anger or injustice.
You can link the pronunciation 'fèn' to the image of a 'fen' (thin) layer of ice cracking under pressure, which symbolizes the buildup of anger.
Phrases like 愤怒 (fènnù, anger) and 愤慨 (fèngkǎi, indignation) are common and useful to know.
