Skip to content
Begin learning Chinese at your own paceStart learning
怨气 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
怨气yuànqìgrievanceHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #21116, Very Hard
怨气yuànqìresentmentHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #21116, Very Hard
怨气yuànqìcomplaintHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #21116, Very Hard
yuànqì(yuan4qi4)yuan qi T4
  1. 1grievance
  2. 2resentment
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

怨气(怨氣)yuànqì(yuan4qi4)

怨气 (yuànqì) refers to feelings of grievance or resentment, often stemming from perceived injustices or disappointments. It is commonly used to describe emotional states resulting from unfair treatment or unresolved issues, and can manifest in both personal relationships and social contexts.

Strokes13Frequency#21116DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, expressing 怨气 may be seen as a sign of weakness, as there is often a preference for maintaining harmony in relationships. However, recognizing and addressing these feelings is becoming more accepted in contemporary society.

Memory tip

Imagine a person frowning with a cloud of dark '气' (qi) above their head, symbolizing heavy feelings of '怨' (yuàn) or resentment. The '怨' character can remind you of 'wretched', linking it to the feeling of grievance, while '气' resembles a breath, capturing the heaviness of pent-up emotions.

Meanings of 怨气

yuànqì(yuan4qi4)
1grievance
2resentment
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 怨气 means.

About 怨气

怨气Simplified
怨氣Traditional
13Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 怨气

JasonAmy

Podcast: 怨气

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 怨气

Quick Contrast

怨恨 (yuànhèn) vs 怨气 (yuànqì): use 怨恨 for a stronger, more intense feeling of hatred, while 怨气 indicates a lingering sense of grievance without the same level of animosity.

Usage Notes

怨气 is typically used in informal contexts and can sometimes carry a negative connotation. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar words like 不满 (bùmǎn, dissatisfaction) or using it in overly formal situations. Be cautious with tones, as mispronouncing '怨' can lead to misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

While 怨气 is not in the official HSK vocabulary lists, it relates to emotional vocabulary that can enhance your language skills at HSK Level 4. Students should focus on understanding the nuances of expressing feelings and grievances, which can help in conversational contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 怨气 with 愤怒 (fènnù, anger), using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我有愤怒' (Wǒ yǒu fènnù) instead of '我有怨气' (Wǒ yǒu yuànqì) misses the nuance of grievance over anger.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 怨气

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 怨气 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 怨气 to You

Let me explain 怨气 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 怨气 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 怨气?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 怨气 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Component Characters

怨yuànto blame
HSK 79 strokes心
View full entry
气qìgas
HSK 44 strokes气
View full entry

How to say grievance in Chinese

“grievance” in Chinese is怨气yuànqì

怨气 (yuànqì) refers to feelings of grievance or resentment, often stemming from perceived injustices or disappointments. It is commonly used to describe emotional states resulting from unfair treatment or unresolved issues, and can manifest in both personal relationships and social contexts.

When to use 怨气

怨气 is typically used in informal contexts and can sometimes carry a negative connotation. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar words like 不满 (bùmǎn, dissatisfaction) or using it in overly formal situations. Be cautious with tones, as mispronouncing '怨' can lead to misunderstandings.

怨气 or something close to it

怨恨 (yuànhèn) vs 怨气 (yuànqì): use 怨恨 for a stronger, more intense feeling of hatred, while 怨气 indicates a lingering sense of grievance without the same level of animosity.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 怨气 with 愤怒 (fènnù, anger), using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我有愤怒' (Wǒ yǒu fènnù) instead of '我有怨气' (Wǒ yǒu yuànqì) misses the nuance of grievance over anger.

Write 怨气

怨
气

Practice writing 怨气 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 怨气?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

Cultural Notes for 怨气

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, expressing grievances openly can be seen as a healthy way to resolve conflict, whereas in Chinese culture, it may be viewed as disruptive to social harmony.

Frequently Asked Questions about 怨气

You can say, '他对公司裁员感到怨气' (Tā duì gōngsī cáiyuán gǎndào yuànqì), meaning 'He feels resentment towards the company's layoffs.'

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 怨气?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab