Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== bàozào: 暴躁 - Irritable, Grumpy, Short-tempered ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** bàozào, 暴躁, irritable in Chinese, short-tempered Chinese, grumpy Chinese, bad temper, Chinese adjective for anger, 脾气暴躁, fā huǒ, shēngqì * **Summary:** Learn the meaning and use of **暴躁 (bàozào)**, a common Chinese adjective used to describe someone who is **irritable, short-tempered, and grumpy**. This page breaks down the characters, explores the cultural significance of having a bad temper in China, and provides dozens of practical example sentences. Understand the difference between being `暴躁` (a personality trait) and simply being `生气` (shēngqì - angry), and learn how to use this powerful word to describe people and moods accurately. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** bàozào * **Part of Speech:** Adjective * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 * **Concise Definition:** Describes a person's disposition as irritable, fiery, and prone to sudden outbursts of anger. * **In a Nutshell:** `暴躁` is more than just being in a bad mood. It describes a state or a personality trait of someone who is like a powder keg with a short fuse. Think of a person who gets angry at the smallest inconvenience—they are `暴躁`. It carries a strong negative connotation, implying a lack of self-control and emotional maturity. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **暴 (bào):** This character means "violent," "sudden," or "cruel." Think of a sudden, violent rainstorm, which is called `暴雨 (bàoyǔ)`. It represents an abrupt, intense, and uncontrolled force. * **躁 (zào):** This character means "restless," "agitated," or "impatient." The foot radical `足 (zú)` at the bottom suggests a physical inability to be still, a kind of anxious, fidgety energy. * **Together:** The combination of "violent/sudden" (暴) and "restless/agitated" (躁) creates a vivid image. `暴躁` (bàozào) is not just anger; it's a state of restless agitation that erupts into violent, sudden anger. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== In Chinese culture, which places a high value on social harmony (`和谐, héxié`) and emotional restraint, being `暴躁` is considered a significant character flaw. It's the antithesis of the ideal of a `冷静 (lěngjìng)` (calm, composed) and mature individual. A useful Western comparison is the difference between "being stressed out" and "having a bad temper." In the West, saying "I'm so stressed" can often serve as an explanation or excuse for irritable behavior. In China, labeling someone as `暴躁` is a more direct and serious criticism of their character. It implies they lack self-cultivation and are difficult to be around because they disrupt group harmony. A `暴躁` boss isn't just "under pressure"; they are seen as a poor leader. A `暴躁` friend is seen as emotionally immature. Therefore, the term carries a heavier social judgment than its English equivalents like "grumpy" or "short-tempered." ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== `暴躁` is a common word used in everyday conversation to complain about or describe people with bad tempers. * **Describing People:** It's most frequently used to describe a person's fundamental personality. "My dad has a short temper" would be "我爸爸脾气很**暴躁**" (Wǒ bàba píqi hěn **bàozào**). * **Describing a Temporary Mood:** It can also describe a temporary state, often caused by stress, heat, or frustration. For example: "The weather is so hot, it's making me really irritable." (天气太热了，搞得我很**暴躁** - Tiānqì tài rè le, gǎo de wǒ hěn **bàozào**). * **Online:** On Chinese social media, it's used to describe difficult customers, frustrating online teammates in games, or public figures who have angry outbursts. * **Connotation:** It is almost exclusively negative. You would only use it self-deprecatingly ("Sorry, I've been a bit on edge lately"), but never as a point of pride. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 他最近压力很大，脾气变得很**暴躁**。 * Pinyin: Tā zuìjìn yālì hěn dà, píqi biàn de hěn **bàozào**. * English: He's been under a lot of stress lately, and his temper has become very short. * Analysis: This shows how `暴躁` can describe a change in someone's temperament due to external factors like `压力` (yālì - stress). * **Example 2:** * 你为什么总是这么**暴躁**？冷静一点！ * Pinyin: Nǐ wèishéme zǒngshì zhème **bàozào**? Lěngjìng yīdiǎn! * English: Why are you always so irritable? Calm down! * Analysis: A direct and confrontational use of the word. `冷静` (lěngjìng - calm) is the direct antonym and a common piece of advice given to a `暴躁` person. * **Example 3:** * 天气闷热，我的心情也跟着**暴躁**起来。 * Pinyin: Tiānqì mēnrè, wǒ de xīnqíng yě gēnzhe **bàozào** qǐlái. * English: The weather is hot and stuffy, and my mood has become irritable along with it. * Analysis: Here, `暴躁` describes a `心情` (xīnqíng - mood). The phrase `起来` (qǐlái) indicates the beginning of this state. * **Example 4:** * 那个顾客非常**暴躁**，对服务员大吼大叫。 * Pinyin: Nàge gùkè fēicháng **bàozào**, duì fúwùyuán dà hǒu dà jiào. * English: That customer was extremely short-tempered, yelling and shouting at the staff. * Analysis: This example connects the trait (`暴躁`) with the resulting action (`大吼大叫` - dà hǒu dà jiào, yelling and shouting). * **Example 5:** * 一个好的领导者不应该是**暴躁**的。 * Pinyin: Yīge hǎo de lǐngdǎozhě bù yìnggāi shì **bàozào** de. * English: A good leader should not be short-tempered. * Analysis: This reflects the cultural value that leaders should be composed and emotionally stable. * **Example 6:** * 我得想办法控制一下我**暴躁**的脾气。 * Pinyin: Wǒ děi xiǎng bànfǎ kòngzhì yīxià wǒ **bàozào** de píqi. * English: I need to find a way to control my short temper. * Analysis: A good example of self-reflection. Note how `暴躁` is used here to modify `脾气` (píqi - temper). * **Example 7:** * 睡眠不足会让人变得**暴躁**易怒。 * Pinyin: Shuìmián bùzú huì ràng rén biàn de **bàozào** yìnù. * English: Lack of sleep can make people become irritable and easily angered. * Analysis: This links `暴躁` to a physical cause. `易怒` (yìnù) means "easily angered" and is a very common word to see alongside `暴躁`. * **Example 8:** * 他父亲是一个脾气**暴躁**的老人，很难相处。 * Pinyin: Tā fùqīn shì yīgè píqi **bàozào** de lǎorén, hěn nán xiāngchǔ. * English: His father is an old man with a short temper and is very difficult to get along with. * Analysis: The phrase `脾气暴躁` (píqi bàozào) is extremely common, almost a set phrase. `很难相处` (hěn nán xiāngchǔ) is a typical consequence. * **Example 9:** * 不要去惹那只狗，它性情很**暴躁**。 * Pinyin: Bùyào qù rě nà zhī gǒu, tā xìngqíng hěn **bàozào**. * English: Don't provoke that dog; it has a very fierce temperament. * Analysis: `暴躁` can also be used to describe the temperament (`性情` - xìngqíng) of animals. * **Example 10:** * 在**暴躁**的状态下，你做出的决定很可能是错的。 * Pinyin: Zài **bàozào** de zhuàngtài xià, nǐ zuò chū de juédìng hěn kěnéng shì cuò de. * English: The decisions you make while in an irritable state are likely to be wrong. * Analysis: This sentence uses `暴躁` to describe a `状态` (zhuàngtài - state/condition), highlighting the temporary nature of the feeling. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **`暴躁` (bàozào) vs. `生气` (shēngqì):** This is the most critical distinction for learners. * `生气` (shēngqì) means "to be angry." It is the emotion itself, a temporary state. (e.g., "I am angry now." - 我现在很生气。) * `暴躁` (bàozào) is the *disposition* to get angry easily. A `暴躁` person gets `生气` very often and very quickly. * **Analogy:** If `生气` is the rain, `暴躁` is the cloudy, stormy weather that produces the rain. * **`暴躁` (bàozào) vs. `烦躁` (fánzào):** * `暴躁` implies an explosive, outward anger. * `烦躁` (fánzào) means "agitated" or "annoyed." It's more of an internal feeling of restlessness and frustration. You can be `烦躁` without yelling at anyone, but a `暴躁` person is likely to yell. * **Common Mistake:** Using `暴躁` like a verb with `了`. * **Incorrect:** 我今天**暴躁**了。(Wǒ jīntiān bàozào le.) * **Why it's wrong:** `暴躁` is an adjective describing a state, not a completed action. It feels unnatural, like saying "I short-tempered-ed." * **Correct:** 我今天有点**暴躁**。(Wǒ jīntiān yǒudiǎn bàozào.) - "I'm a little irritable today." * **Correct:** 我今天脾气很**暴躁**。(Wǒ jīntiān píqi hěn bàozào.) - "My temper is very short today." ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[脾气]] (píqi) - Temper, disposition. The noun that `暴躁` most often describes. (`脾气暴躁`) * [[生气]] (shēngqì) - To get angry. The emotional state that a `暴躁` person often experiences. * [[发火]] (fā huǒ) - To lose one's temper, to fly into a rage. The action a `暴躁` person takes. * [[烦躁]] (fánzào) - Agitated, annoyed. A related but less explosive feeling of restlessness. * [[急躁]] (jízào) - Impatient, impetuous. Describes a personality that rushes and lacks patience, a quality often found in `暴躁` people. * [[易怒]] (yìnù) - Easily angered, irascible. A synonym that is often used together with `暴躁`. * [[冷静]] (lěngjìng) - Calm, cool-headed. A key antonym. * [[耐心]] (nàixīn) - Patience. The quality that a `暴躁` person lacks. * [[情绪]] (qíngxù) - Emotion, mood. `暴躁` describes a type of negative `情绪`. * [[和谐]] (héxié) - Harmony. The social value that a `暴躁` person is seen as disrupting.