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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.
Strokes9Frequency#816DifficultyMedium
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
9Strokes
—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.
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.
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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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.
When to use 生气
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.
生气 or something close to it
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.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 生气
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.
