我很生气
wǒ hěn shēngqì
The English phrase "I am mad" is expressed in Chinese as 我很生气 (wǒ hěn shēngqì).
The phrase is used to express that a person feels angry. The term 生气 means mad.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "I very angry". This is because the adverb 很 (hěn), meaning "very", is grammatically required to link a subject to an adjective in a simple declarative sentence.
Which one should you use?
While 我很生气 describes a state of being angry, the phrase 我生气了 (wǒ shēngqì le) emphasizes a change in state, implying that you weren't angry before but now you are. Additionally, 我发火了 (wǒ fāhuǒ le) is used to express that one is losing their temper or "flaring up".
How does it change in a sentence?
In Chinese, you do not use the verb "to be" (shì) to connect a subject to an adjective. Instead, you use an adverb like 很 (hěn) to link them.
How do you pronounce it?
wǒ hěn shēngqì
Did you know?
- To describe someone who is constantly 'mad' or irritable, Chinese speakers use the term 脾气不好 (píqì bù hǎo), which literally means 'their spleen temperament is not good'.
- The character 气 (qì) found in 生气 refers to the vital energy or life force in traditional Chinese medicine and philosophy.
- While 我很生气 expresses anger, a person might respond with 我没生气 (wǒ méi shēngqì) even when they are clearly mad to maintain social harmony or 'face'.
Examples in context
- 我生气了I am mad
- 很生气Very angry
- 非常愤怒Extremely angry
- 我很生气。Wǒ hěn shēngqì.I am very mad.
- 别跟我吵，我很生气。Bié gēn wǒ chǎo, wǒ hěn shēngqì.Don't argue with me, I am mad.
Example conversation
A couple is having a small argument in the living room.
- 雨婷 Yuting你为什么没接我的电话？我很生气！Nǐ wèishéme méi jiē wǒ de diànhuà? Wǒ hěn shēngqì!Why didn't you answer my call? I am mad!
- 伟 Wei对不起，雨婷，我刚才在开会。Duìbuqǐ, Yǔtíng, wǒ gāngcái zài kāihuì.I'm sorry, Yuting, I was in a meeting just now.
- 雨婷 Yuting你总是这样，让我很生气。Nǐ zǒngshì zhèyàng, ràng wǒ hěn shēngqì.You are always like this, making me very mad.
- 伟 Wei伟会补偿你的，别生气了。Wěi huì bǔcháng nǐ de, bié shēngqì le.Wei will make it up to you, please don't be mad.
