This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 phrase #3,500 most common 10 min read

发脾气

fāpíqi Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 发脾气 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 发脾气 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn '发脾气' (fā píqì) as a basic phrase for 'getting angry.' Think of it as a step up from '生气' (shēngqì - to be angry). While '生气' is just the feeling, '发脾气' is when that feeling comes out. For example, if a baby cries and screams because they want a toy, they are '发脾气.' You can use it in simple sentences like '我不喜欢发脾气' (I don't like to lose my temper) or '他发脾气了' (He lost his temper). It's a very useful phrase because it helps you describe people's actions. Remember the characters: '发' means to send out, and '脾气' means temper. So, you are 'sending out your temper.' At this level, don't worry too much about complex grammar; just remember the whole phrase and use it to describe tantrums or outbursts. It is very common in daily life, especially when talking about children or stressful situations. Try to notice when people use it in cartoons or simple stories. It's one of those essential 'human emotion' phrases that makes your Chinese sound much more natural and expressive.

At the A2 level, you can start using '发脾气' in more detailed ways. You should learn the pattern '对...发脾气' (duì... fā píqì), which means 'to lose one's temper at someone.' For example, '你为什么对我发脾气？' (Why are you losing your temper at me?). This is a key structure for describing social interactions. You should also recognize that '发脾气' is a separable verb. This means you can put words in the middle, like '发大脾气' (lose a big temper). You might also use it with frequency words like '经常' (often) or '总是' (always). For example, '他经常发脾气' (He often loses his temper). Understanding this phrase helps you navigate more complex conversations about relationships and behavior. You'll also encounter it in descriptions of personalities. If someone '脾气不好' (has a bad temper), they probably '爱发脾气' (love to lose their temper). Practice using it to explain why someone is upset or why a situation became difficult. It's a bridge between simple emotional words and more complex descriptions of human behavior.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '发脾气' in various grammatical structures and understand its nuances compared to synonyms. You can use resultative complements or duration markers. For instance, '他发了一整天脾气' (He's been losing his temper all day). You should also understand the cultural context: in Chinese society, '发脾气' is often seen as a lack of 'hanxu' (restraint) or 'xiuyang' (self-cultivation). Therefore, using the phrase can imply a negative judgment of someone's character. You might use it in the context of 'managing emotions' (管理情绪). For example, '我们要学会控制自己，不要随便发脾气' (We need to learn to control ourselves and not lose our tempers easily). You can also start using it in more abstract ways, like personifying objects or systems that aren't working ('这台机器又发脾气了'). At this level, you should also be able to distinguish '发脾气' from '闹情绪' (nào qíngxù - to be moody/difficult). '发脾气' is loud and explosive, while '闹情绪' might be quiet and stubborn. Being able to choose the right word shows a deeper understanding of Chinese social dynamics.

At the B2 level, you should master the idiomatic use of '发脾气' and be able to use it in sophisticated arguments or narratives. You can use it with various measure words like '顿' (dùn) or '通' (tòng) to add emphasis: '他被老板训了一顿，回来就发了一通脾气' (He was scolded by his boss and came back and threw a fit). You should also be familiar with related idioms like '大发雷霆' (dàfā léitíng) or '暴跳如雷' (bàotiào rúléi), which are more advanced ways to describe extreme anger. In a B2 level discussion, you might analyze the causes of someone '发脾气,' such as '压力过大' (excessive pressure) or '性格使然' (due to one's personality). You can also use the phrase in conditional sentences: '除非你不再对我发脾气，否则我不会回来' (Unless you stop losing your temper at me, I won't come back). Your ability to use '发脾气' as a noun-like object in sentences like '他的发脾气让我很困扰' (His losing his temper bothers me a lot) also demonstrates higher proficiency. Understanding the subtle difference between '发脾气' and '动怒' (dòngnù - a more formal, literary term) is also expected at this level.

At the C1 level, you should have a native-like grasp of '发脾气' and its place within the broader spectrum of Chinese emotional expression. You can use it in highly nuanced ways, such as describing 'silent' or 'passive-aggressive' outbursts in literary contexts, or using it ironically. You should understand the historical and medical origins of the term '脾气' (Spleen-Qi) and how Traditional Chinese Medicine links the spleen to emotional regulation. This knowledge allows you to discuss the word's etymology in academic or cultural settings. You can also analyze the use of '发脾气' in literature or media to characterize protagonists. For example, how does a character's tendency to '发脾气' reflect their social status or psychological state? You should be able to use the phrase in complex rhetorical structures, such as '与其说是他在发脾气，不如说是他在发泄心中的不满' (It's not so much that he's losing his temper as it is that he's venting his dissatisfaction). At this level, you should also be able to use the phrase in formal writing, perhaps discussing the impact of '发脾气' on workplace productivity or family harmony, while maintaining the appropriate register.

At the C2 level, '发脾气' is a tool you use with absolute precision. You understand its every connotation—from the playful '耍性子' of a child to the '无名火' (unnamed fire/sudden rage) of a frustrated adult. You can engage in deep philosophical discussions about the nature of anger in Chinese culture, contrasting the Confucian ideal of the 'Junzi' (gentleman) who remains calm, with the reality of '发脾气' in modern, high-stress society. You might explore how the phrase has evolved in the age of the internet, perhaps discussing terms like '键盘侠' (keyboard warriors) who '发脾气' online. You are comfortable using the phrase in any register, from the most colloquial street slang to the most refined academic prose. You can also use it to discuss the psychological concept of 'catharsis' (宣泄) and whether '发脾气' is a healthy or unhealthy way to process emotion. Your mastery is such that you can use the phrase to evoke specific emotions in your listeners or readers, whether through a poignant story about a father's rare '发脾气' or a humorous anecdote about a '发脾气' of a malfunctioning smart home device. You are not just using a word; you are wielding a cultural concept.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

发脾气 in 30 Seconds

A common phrase for losing one's temper, implying an outward display of anger rather than just feeling it internally.
Grammatically, it is a separable verb (VO), allowing modifiers like 'big' or 'small' to be placed in the middle.
Used frequently across all social contexts, from parenting and relationships to workplace dynamics and describing malfunctioning objects.
Often contrasted with '生气' (to be angry), which refers to the internal emotional state rather than the external outburst.

The phrase 发脾气 (fā píqì) is an essential part of the Chinese lexicon used to describe the act of losing one's temper or venting anger. To understand it fully, we must break down its components. The first character, 发 (fā), means to send out, to emit, or to release. The second part, 脾气 (píqì), literally translates to 'spleen breath' or 'spleen energy.' In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the spleen is associated with thought and intention, but in common parlance, 'píqì' has come to represent one's temperament or disposition. Therefore, 'fā píqì' is the physical or vocal release of that internal temperament, usually in a negative or explosive way.

Core Concept: It refers to the externalization of anger. While '生气' (shēngqì) means to be angry internally, '发脾气' implies an action—shouting, slamming doors, or scolding someone.
Social Dynamics: In Chinese culture, maintaining 'mianzi' (face) and harmony is important. Consequently, '发脾气' is often viewed as a loss of self-control. However, it is a very common phrase used in families, relationships, and workplaces to describe someone who is being difficult or irrational.

他经常因为一点小事就发脾气。(He often loses his temper over small things.)

When you use this phrase, you are usually commenting on the behavior of an individual. It is a verb-object construction, which means you can insert modifiers between '发' and '脾气'. For example, you can say '发了一顿大脾气' (threw a big tantrum). This flexibility allows speakers to describe the intensity and duration of the anger. It is also important to note that this is a neutral-to-informal phrase; while not 'slang,' it is the standard way to describe a tantrum in daily life. In a more formal psychological context, one might use '情绪失控' (emotional loss of control), but for 99% of daily interactions, '发脾气' is the go-to expression.

Culturally, the phrase also carries a nuance of 'willfulness.' Children are often described as '爱发脾气' (loving to lose their temper), suggesting a lack of emotional maturity. In adults, it can imply that the person is being 'unreasonable' or 'difficult to serve' (难伺候). When you hear a Chinese mother say to her child, '别发脾气!' (Don't throw a tantrum!), she is addressing the behavior directly. In a workplace, if a boss '发脾气,' it usually means they are scolding subordinates loudly. Understanding this word helps you navigate the emotional landscape of Chinese social interactions, as it identifies the threshold where internal feeling becomes external conflict.

你对我发脾气也没用，这又不是我的错。(It's useless to lose your temper at me; this isn't my fault.)

Using 发脾气 correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical structure as a 'separable verb' (离合词). This means that while '发' and '脾气' often appear together, they can be separated by other words to change the meaning or add detail. This is a common feature in Mandarin that often trips up English speakers who are used to fixed verb phrases.

Targeting Someone: To say 'lose one's temper AT someone,' use the pattern: 对 + [Person] + 发脾气. For example: '不要对他发脾气' (Don't lose your temper at him).
Adding Intensity: You can add adjectives between the two characters. '发大脾气' means to throw a huge tantrum. '发了一通脾气' means to have had a bout of anger.

老板今天心情不好，刚才在办公室里发了一顿脾气。(The boss is in a bad mood today; he just threw a fit in the office.)

Another important aspect is the frequency and habit. If someone is naturally quick-tempered, we use the word 爱 (ài) meaning 'love to' or 'prone to'. '他很爱发脾气' means 'He is very prone to losing his temper.' This doesn't mean he enjoys it, but rather that it happens frequently. You can also use '总是' (always) or '经常' (often) to describe this habit. Conversely, to describe someone with a good temperament who rarely gets angry, you would say '他从不发脾气' (He never loses his temper).

In more complex sentences, '发脾气' can act as the cause or the result. For instance, '因为他发脾气，大家都走了' (Because he lost his temper, everyone left). It can also be used in the potential complement form, though this is less common: '发不出脾气来' (unable to get angry/lose one's temper, often due to exhaustion or the absurdity of a situation). When you are apologizing, you might say: '对不起，我不该向你发脾气' (Sorry, I shouldn't have lost my temper with you). Note that '向' (xiàng) can sometimes replace '对' (duì) when indicating the direction of the anger, though '对' is more common in daily speech.

无论我怎么解释，他还是不停地发脾气。(No matter how I explained, he kept losing his temper.)

You will encounter 发脾气 in a wide variety of social contexts in China, from domestic squabbles to office drama and even in literature or media. It is a universal term for the outward display of rage. In a household setting, it is most frequently used regarding children. Parenting discussions often revolve around how to handle a child who '爱发脾气' (likes to throw tantrums). You might hear a grandmother say, '小乖乖，别发脾气了，给你糖吃' (Little dear, stop throwing a tantrum, I'll give you candy).

In the Workplace: It is used to describe a boss who is 'difficult' or 'demanding.' Employees might whisper, '王经理今天又发脾气了' (Manager Wang lost his temper again today). It implies a stressful environment where emotions are high.
In Relationships: Couples use it to describe friction. '你总是对我发脾气，我受够了' (You are always losing your temper at me, I've had enough). Here, it highlights an emotional imbalance.

这台电脑又死机了，真让人想发脾气！(This computer crashed again; it really makes one want to lose their temper!)

In TV dramas (C-dramas), this phrase is a staple. Characters often '发脾气' to show power or frustration. It is a key verb for expressing conflict. You might also hear it in a more metaphorical or humorous sense. For instance, if an old car won't start, a driver might say, '这破车又发脾气了' (This old car is throwing a fit again), personifying the object's failure to function. This shows how deeply the phrase is embedded in the Chinese psyche as a way to describe anything that is being 'uncooperative' or 'volatile.'

Finally, in psychological or self-help contexts, you might hear advice on '如何不发脾气' (how to not lose one's temper). It is the standard term used in workshops for anger management. Whether it's a teacher scolding a student, a customer complaining at a restaurant, or a friend venting about a bad day, '发脾气' is the linguistic container for all these explosive emotional moments. It covers everything from a mild huff to a full-blown screaming match, making it one of the most versatile 'anger' words in Chinese.

他这人脾气古怪，随时都可能发脾气。(He has a strange temperament; he could lose his temper at any moment.)

One of the most frequent errors for learners is confusing 发脾气 with 生气 (shēngqì). While both involve anger, their usage and meaning differ significantly. '生气' is a state of being; it describes the internal feeling of being mad. You can be '生气' for hours without saying a word. '发脾气,' however, is an action. You cannot '发脾气' silently. It requires an outburst. If you say '我发脾气了' (I lost my temper), you are describing a scene you made. If you say '我生气了' (I am angry), you are describing your internal mood.

Mistake 1: Object Placement: Incorrect: 我发脾气他 (I lose temper him). Correct: 我对他发脾气. As a verb-object phrase, it cannot take a direct object.
Mistake 2: Using 'Very': Incorrect: 他很发脾气. Correct: 他很爱发脾气. You cannot use '很' (very) directly before '发脾气' because it's an action, not an adjective. You need to add '爱' (prone to) or '经常' (often).

Incorrect: 别生气我！ Correct: 别跟我发脾气！(Don't lose your temper with me!)

Another common mistake involves the separation of the phrase. Learners often forget that you can put words in the middle. For instance, '发脾气' becomes '发什么脾气?' (What are you losing your temper about?). If you try to say '为什么发脾气?' it's correct, but '发什么脾气?' is much more native and idiomatic. Also, remember the measure word for a 'bout' of anger is usually '顿' (dùn) or '通' (tòng). Saying '发一个脾气' is grammatically awkward; '发了一顿脾气' sounds much more natural.

Lastly, be careful with the preposition. While '对' (duì) is the most common, some learners use '和' (hé - with). '和他发脾气' is acceptable but can imply a mutual argument, whereas '对他发脾气' clearly identifies him as the target of your anger. In English, we say 'lose temper WITH someone,' but in Chinese, the 'towards' (对) logic is stronger. Misusing these prepositions won't necessarily make you misunderstood, but it will mark you as a non-native speaker. Practice the '对...发脾气' pattern until it becomes second nature.

他刚才发了一通大脾气，现在谁也不敢理他。(He just threw a huge tantrum; now nobody dares to talk to him.)

Mandarin has a rich vocabulary for emotions. While 发脾气 is the most common and versatile term for losing one's temper, several alternatives offer different shades of meaning depending on the level of formality and the nature of the anger.

生气 (shēngqì): Meaning: To be angry. This is the internal state. Comparison: 'I am angry' (我生气) vs. 'I lost my temper' (我发脾气).
动怒 (dòngnù): Meaning: To get angry (formal). Used in literature or formal speech. Comparison: You wouldn't use this for a child throwing a tantrum; it's more for a dignified person becoming incensed.
耍性子 (shuǎ xìngzi): Meaning: To throw a tantrum/be willful. This is often used for children or someone acting 'spoiled.' It implies the anger is a bit childish or manipulative.

别在那儿耍性子了，快点过来！(Stop throwing a tantrum there and come here quickly!)

Another interesting alternative is 闹情绪 (nào qíngxù). This literally means 'making a scene with emotions.' It is often used when someone is being moody or difficult, perhaps not shouting, but being visibly upset and uncooperative. For more extreme anger, you might use 大发雷霆 (dàfā léitíng), a four-character idiom (chengyu) that means to be 'furious as thunder.' This is much stronger than '发脾气' and is used when someone is truly enraged.

In slang or informal contexts, especially among young people, you might hear 炸毛 (zhà máo), which literally means a cat's fur standing on end. It's a funny way to say someone 'exploded' or got really worked up. Lastly, 暴跳如雷 (bàotiào rúléi) describes someone jumping around in a rage. Choosing the right word depends on the 'flavor' of the anger you want to convey: '发脾气' is the safe, standard choice, while the others add color and specific context.

他一听这消息就炸毛了。(He blew his top as soon as he heard the news.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In TCM, the spleen is linked to 'worry' or 'pensiveness,' but in the phrase '发脾气,' it has evolved to represent general emotional volatility.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /fā pʰǐ.tɕʰî/

US /fɑ pʰi tɕʰi/

Primary stress on 'fā', secondary on 'pí'.

Rhymes With

家 (jiā) 花 (huā) 虾 (xiā) 地 (dì) 气 (qì) 意 (yì) 力 (lì) 戏 (xì)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'qi' with a heavy 4th tone instead of keeping it light.
Not aspirating the 'p' in 'pí'.
Confusing the 'q' sound with the English 'k' or 'q'.
Failing to rise enough on the 2nd tone of 'pí'.
Pronouncing 'fā' as a 4th tone (fà) which changes the meaning.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Characters are relatively simple (A2 level).

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the 'spleen' character (脾).

Speaking 2/5

Common phrase, easy to use once the 'duì' pattern is learned.

Listening 2/5

Distinctive sound, often used with high emotional inflection.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

生气心情为什么对不

Learn Next

火冒三丈控制情绪性格沟通

Advanced

大发雷霆暴跳如雷迁怒忍气吞声心平气和

Grammar to Know

Separable Verbs (离合词)

发了一顿脾气 (fā le yí dùn píqi)

Preposition '对' for Target

对他发脾气 (duì tā fā píqi)

Measure Words for Actions

发了一通脾气 (fā le yì tòng píqi)

Adverbs of Frequency

经常发脾气 (jīngcháng fā píqi)

Resultative Complements

发完脾气 (fā wán píqi)

Examples by Level

他发脾气了。

He lost his temper.

Simple subject + verb phrase + particle 'le'.

别发脾气。

Don't lose your temper.

Imperative sentence using 'bié' (don't).

我不喜欢发脾气。

I don't like to lose my temper.

Subject + negative 'bù' + verb 'xǐhuān' + 'fā píqì'.

为什么你发脾气？

Why are you losing your temper?

Question using 'wèishénme' (why).

小猫也发脾气吗？

Do kittens lose their temper too?

Question using 'ma' at the end.

他总是发脾气。

He always loses his temper.

Adverb 'zǒngshì' (always) before the verb.

因为我累了，所以我发脾气。

Because I'm tired, I lost my temper.

Cause and effect using 'yīnwèi... suǒyǐ...'.

她没发脾气。

She didn't lose her temper.

Negative 'méi' used for past actions.

你不要对我发脾气。

Don't lose your temper at me.

Use of 'duì' to indicate the target of the anger.

他爱发脾气，真奇怪。

He's prone to losing his temper; it's really strange.

'Ài' here means 'prone to' or 'often'.

妈妈刚才发了大脾气。

Mom just threw a big tantrum.

Separable verb with 'dà' (big) in the middle.

他发脾气的时候很可怕。

He is scary when he loses his temper.

Using '...de shíhòu' to mean 'when'.

你发什么脾气？

What are you losing your temper about?

Separable verb with 'shénme' (what) in the middle.

他很少发脾气。

He rarely loses his temper.

Adverb 'hěn shǎo' (rarely) before the verb.

我不想跟你发脾气。

I don't want to lose my temper with you.

Use of 'gēn' (with) as an alternative to 'duì'.

他发完脾气就后悔了。

He regretted it as soon as he finished losing his temper.

Use of 'wán' (finish) as a resultative complement.

他因为这件事情发了一顿脾气。

He threw a fit because of this matter.

Using the measure word 'dùn' for a bout of anger.

你发脾气也解决不了问题。

Losing your temper won't solve the problem either.

Using 'yě' (also) to emphasize futility.

他平时不怎么发脾气，今天是怎么了？

He doesn't usually lose his temper; what's wrong today?

Contrast between 'píngshí' (usually) and 'jīntiān' (today).

老板正在发脾气，你现在别进去。

The boss is currently losing his temper; don't go in now.

Use of 'zhèngzài' for continuous action.

他发脾气的样子真让人难受。

The way he loses his temper really makes people feel bad.

Using '...de yàngzi' to describe the manner or appearance.

别动不动就发脾气。

Don't lose your temper at the drop of a hat.

The idiom 'dòng bù dòng jiù' means 'easily' or 'at the slightest provocation'.

他发了一通脾气，心情好多了。

He threw a fit and feels much better now.

Using 'tòng' as a measure word for a thorough venting.

我尽量不当着孩子的面发脾气。

I try my best not to lose my temper in front of the children.

Using 'dāngzhe... de miàn' (in front of).

他那个人，发脾气是家常便饭。

For that guy, losing his temper is a common occurrence.

Using the idiom 'jiācháng biànfàn' (daily routine/commonplace).

如果你再发脾气，我就真的不理你了。

If you lose your temper again, I'll really stop talking to you.

Conditional 'rúguǒ... jiù...' structure.

虽然他偶尔发脾气，但心肠并不坏。

Although he occasionally loses his temper, he isn't a bad person at heart.

Concession structure 'suīrán... dàn...'.

他发脾气往往是因为压力太大。

He often loses his temper because the pressure is too great.

Using 'wǎngwǎng' (often/tend to) for habitual reasons.

你发脾气之前，能不能先听我解释？

Before you lose your temper, can you listen to my explanation first?

Using '...zhīqián' (before).

他竟然为了这么点小事发脾气，太不值得了。

He actually lost his temper over such a small thing; it's really not worth it.

Using 'jìngrán' (unexpectedly) for emphasis.

看到他发脾气，我感到非常无助。

Seeing him lose his temper, I feel very helpless.

Gerund-like use of 'seeing him lose his temper'.

他发脾气的频率越来越高了。

The frequency of his temper tantrums is getting higher and higher.

Using 'yuè lái yuè' (more and more).

他那种发脾气的方式，简直是无理取闹。

His way of losing his temper is simply making trouble without reason.

Using 'jiǎnzhí' (simply/literally) and the idiom 'wúlǐ qǔnào'.

在公众场合发脾气是非常失礼的行为。

Losing one's temper in public is very rude behavior.

Using 'shīlǐ' (impolite/loss of etiquette).

他虽然在发脾气，但眼神中却透着一丝悲伤。

Although he was losing his temper, there was a hint of sadness in his eyes.

Nuanced description of conflicting emotions.

与其对他发脾气，不如静下心来好好沟通。

Rather than losing your temper at him, it's better to calm down and communicate properly.

Comparison structure 'yǔqí... bùrú...'.

他发脾气不过是为了掩饰内心的虚弱。

His losing his temper is nothing more than a way to hide his inner weakness.

Using 'búguò shì... wèile...' (is only for the purpose of).

这种动不动就发脾气的习惯，必须得改改。

This habit of losing one's temper at the drop of a hat must be changed.

Using 'de' as a modal verb for necessity.

他的发脾气往往具有很强的破坏性。

His temper tantrums often have a strong destructive quality.

Treating the phrase as a complex noun phrase.

我并不怪他发脾气，我只怪自己没把事情做好。

I don't blame him for losing his temper; I only blame myself for not doing things well.

Using 'guài' (blame) followed by a clause.

他那排山倒海般的发脾气，让在场所有人都噤若寒蝉。

His overwhelming outburst of temper left everyone present as quiet as cicadas in winter.

Using advanced idioms 'páishān dǎohǎi' and 'jìnruò hánchán'.

发脾气固然可以宣泄情绪，但往往会造成难以弥补的裂痕。

Losing one's temper can certainly vent emotions, but it often creates rifts that are hard to mend.

Using 'gùrán' (admittedly/certainly) to acknowledge a point before a 'but'.

他那次发脾气，成了我们关系走向破裂的导火索。

That particular outburst of temper became the fuse that led to the breakdown of our relationship.

Metaphorical use of 'dǎohuǒsuǒ' (fuse).

他深谙如何通过发脾气来操控他人的心理。

He is well-versed in how to manipulate others' psychology through losing his temper.

Using 'shēn'ān' (be well-versed in) and 'cāokòng' (manipulate).

在那样的极端环境下，发脾气几乎成了唯一的生理反应。

In such extreme environments, losing one's temper almost becomes the only physiological response.

Contextualizing the phrase within an extreme scenario.

他那看似无理的发脾气，实则是对不公命运的最后抗争。

His seemingly irrational outburst of temper was, in fact, a final struggle against an unjust fate.

Using 'shí zé shì' (in reality is) to reveal a deeper truth.

我们不能简单地将他的行为归结为发脾气，这背后有着复杂的社会因素。

We cannot simply attribute his behavior to losing his temper; there are complex social factors behind it.

Using 'guījié wéi' (attribute to/sum up as).

他那突如其来的发脾气，犹如平静湖面上的一场暴风雨。

His sudden outburst of temper was like a storm on a calm lake.

Using 'yóurú' (just like) for a poetic simile.

Common Collocations

爱发脾气

发大脾气

对他发脾气

发了一顿脾气

无缘无故发脾气

忍不住发脾气

很少发脾气

经常发脾气

发脾气没用

想发脾气

Common Phrases

别发脾气

— Don't lose your temper. Used to calm someone down.

别发脾气，有话好好说。

发什么脾气？

— What are you losing your temper about? Used to question the reason for anger.

你发什么脾气？我又没做错。

爱发脾气

— Prone to losing one's temper. Describes a character trait.

他这个人很爱发脾气。

发了一顿脾气

— Threw a fit. Describes a specific instance of anger.

他昨天在办公室发了一顿脾气。

对他发脾气

— Lose temper at him. Specifies the target.

你不应该对他发脾气。

无名火起发脾气

— Losing temper due to sudden, unexplained rage.

他突然发脾气，真是无名火起。

忍不住发脾气

— Unable to keep one's temper in check.

我当时真的忍不住发脾气了。

从不发脾气

— Never loses one's temper. Describes a very calm person.

我的老师从不发脾气。

发脾气解决不了问题

— Losing your temper won't solve the problem. A common piece of advice.

冷静点，发脾气解决不了问题。

发了一通大脾气

— Threw a huge tantrum. Emphasis on intensity and duration.

他刚才发了一通大脾气，把大家都吓坏了。

Often Confused With

发脾气 vs 生气

生气 is internal feeling; 发脾气 is external action.

发脾气 vs 吵架

吵架 is a mutual argument; 发脾气 can be one-sided.

发脾气 vs 抱怨

抱怨 is complaining; 发脾气 is more explosive and emotional.

Idioms & Expressions

"大发雷霆"

— To be furious like thunder and lightning.

经理对他大发雷霆。

Formal/Literary

"暴跳如雷"

— To stamp with rage; to be in a towering passion.

他气得暴跳如雷。

Literary

"火冒三丈"

— To be very angry; to have fire leaping up thirty feet.

他听了这话火冒三丈。

Informal

"气急败坏"

— To be flustered and exasperated with rage.

他气急败坏地跑了进来。

Neutral

"怒气冲天"

— One's anger reaches the sky; to be in a great rage.

他怒气冲天地走出房间。

Literary

"恼羞成怒"

— To turn anger into rage out of shame or embarrassment.

他被揭穿后恼羞成怒。

Neutral

"勃然大怒"

— To flare up in a sudden rage.

他勃然大怒，拍案而起。

Formal

"七窍生烟"

— So angry that smoke comes out of one's seven orifices.

气得他七窍生烟。

Informal/Hyperbolic

"怒不可遏"

— Unable to restrain one's anger.

他听完报告后怒不可遏。

Formal

"无名火起"

— A sudden, unexplained surge of anger.

他突然无名火起，开始发脾气。

Literary

Easily Confused

发脾气 vs 生气

Both relate to anger.

生气 is the feeling (I am mad). 发脾气 is the behavior (I am shouting).

他很生气，但他没发脾气。(He is very angry, but he didn't lose his temper.)

发脾气 vs 发火

Both mean losing temper.

发火 is more informal and sudden. 发脾气 is more general and can describe a longer tantrum.

他突然发火了。(He suddenly blew his top.)

发脾气 vs 闹情绪

Both involve negative emotions.

闹情绪 is often passive or moody. 发脾气 is usually active and loud.

别闹情绪了，快吃饭。(Stop being moody and eat.)

发脾气 vs 抱怨

Both express dissatisfaction.

抱怨 is verbal complaining. 发脾气 is an emotional outburst.

他一直在抱怨，没发脾气。(He kept complaining without losing his temper.)

发脾气 vs 训斥

Both involve shouting.

训斥 is a superior scolding an inferior. 发脾气 is just losing one's temper regardless of status.

老师训斥了迟到的学生。(The teacher scolded the late student.)

Sentence Patterns

S + 发脾气 + 了

他发脾气了。

S + 对 + O + 发脾气

妈妈对我发脾气。

S + 爱 + 发脾气

他很爱发脾气。

S + 发了 + MW + 脾气

他发了一顿脾气。

别 + 动不动就 + 发脾气

别动不动就发脾气。

S + 发脾气 + 也没用

你发脾气也没用。

与其...不如...

与其发脾气，不如沟通。

S + 那种 + Adj + 发脾气

他那种排山倒海般的发脾气。

Word Family

Nouns

脾气 (temperament/temper)

Verbs

发 (to emit/send out)

生气 (to be angry)

Adjectives

脾气坏 (bad-tempered)

好脾气 (good-tempered)

易怒 (irritable)

情绪 (emotion)

愤怒 (anger)

发火 (catch fire/get angry)

忍耐 (endurance)

克制 (restraint)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written Mandarin.

Common Mistakes

我发脾气他。 → 我对他发脾气。
You cannot have a direct object after '发脾气'. Use '对' or '向'.
他很发脾气。 → 他很爱发脾气。
'发脾气' is a verb phrase, so it cannot be modified by '很' directly. Use '爱' (prone to).
别生气我！ → 别对我发脾气！
Using '生气' as a transitive verb is incorrect. '发脾气' is better for 'losing temper at someone'.
他发一个脾气。 → 他发了一顿脾气。
'个' is not the natural measure word for an outburst. Use '顿'.
他在发脾气着。 → 他正在发脾气。
The particle '着' doesn't fit well with '发脾气'. Use '正在' to show continuous action.

Tips

Separability

Remember you can put '了', '过', or adjectives in the middle: 发了脾气, 发过脾气, 发大脾气.

Face Saving

Avoid telling someone '你在发脾气' in a heated argument; it might make them more angry as it suggests they are being irrational.

Intensity

Use '一顿' (yí dùn) to make your description sound more native and specific.

Targeting

Always use '对' when you want to say who the anger is directed at.

Tone Matters

In real life, '发脾气' is often said with a falling, emphatic tone to mirror the anger being described.

Radicals

The '脾' in '脾气' has the 'meat' radical (月), reminding you it's a body part (the spleen).

Frequency

Combine with '动不动就' (dòng bù dòng jiù) to describe someone who gets angry very easily.

Contrast

Always pair '发脾气' with '生气' in your mind to distinguish 'action' vs 'feeling'.

Apologizing

A common way to apologize is: '对不起，我不该向你发脾气'.

Idioms

Once you master '发脾气', try using '大发雷霆' for a more dramatic effect.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'fā' as a 'faucet' being turned on, and 'píqì' as 'pissed-off energy.' When you turn on the faucet of pissed-off energy, you 'fā píqì'.

Visual Association

Imagine a person's head as a steam engine. When the pressure gets too high, the steam 'fā' (blasts out) from the 'píqì' (the engine's core).

Word Web

发 (send out) 脾 (spleen) 气 (energy) 生气 (angry) 发火 (get angry) 心情 (mood) 性格 (personality) 控制 (control)

Challenge

Try to describe a time you saw someone '发脾气' using at least three other related words like '因为' (because) and '对' (towards).

Word Origin

The phrase comes from the combination of '发' (to emit) and '脾气' (temperament). '脾气' itself originates from Traditional Chinese Medicine, where the '脾' (spleen) was believed to be the seat of thought and certain emotional energies ('气').

Original meaning: To release or manifest one's internal temperament or disposition, specifically in a negative or explosive way.

Sino-Tibetan (Mandarin Chinese).

Cultural Context

Be careful not to use this phrase to describe a superior's actions to their face, as it can sound disrespectful. Use more formal terms like '意见' (opinion) or '不悦' (displeasure).

English speakers might say 'throw a tantrum' or 'lose it.' While 'lose one's temper' is the closest literal translation, '发脾气' covers a wider range from a small huff to a major blow-up.

Commonly seen in C-dramas when a 'rich CEO' or 'strict mother' character is introduced. Used in many Chinese parenting books regarding 'terrible twos.' Mentioned in traditional stories to describe 'hot-headed' heroes like Zhang Fei from Three Kingdoms.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Parenting

别发脾气
爱发脾气
小脾气
听话

Workplace

老板发脾气
压力大
辞职
忍受

Relationships

对我发脾气
吵架
道歉
原谅

Malfunctioning Tech

电脑发脾气
死机
坏了
真烦

Self-reflection

我不该发脾气
控制情绪
后悔
改改

Conversation Starters

"你最近一次发脾气是什么时候？ (When was the last time you lost your temper?)"

"你觉得发脾气能解决问题吗？ (Do you think losing your temper can solve problems?)"

"当别人对你发脾气时，你会怎么办？ (What do you do when others lose their temper at you?)"

"你认为谁最爱发脾气？ (Who do you think is most prone to losing their temper?)"

"你会对你的宠物发脾气吗？ (Do you ever lose your temper at your pet?)"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你忍不住发脾气的经历，以及后来发生了什么。 (Describe a time you couldn't help but lose your temper and what happened afterward.)

写写你对‘发脾气’这个行为的看法。 (Write about your views on the behavior of 'losing one's temper'.)

如果你有一个爱发脾气的朋友，你会怎么建议他？ (If you had a friend who often loses their temper, what would you advise them?)

比较‘生气’和‘发脾气’的区别。 (Compare the differences between 'being angry' and 'losing one's temper'.)

讨论在职场中发脾气的后果。 (Discuss the consequences of losing one's temper in the workplace.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, '发脾气' is a verb-object construction. You must use '对我发脾气' (at me) or '跟他发脾气' (with him).

Generally, yes, it implies a loss of control. However, in some contexts, it's just a neutral description of a natural human reaction.

'发大脾气' emphasizes the intensity. It's like 'throwing a huge fit' vs just 'losing one's temper'.

Yes, metaphorically. You can say your old car or computer is '发脾气' when it won't work.

It is neutral. It's fine for daily speech and most writing, but in very formal literature, '动怒' might be used.

Use '顿' (dùn) for a single occasion or '通' (tòng) for a thorough, long outburst.

No. Use '很爱发脾气' or '经常发脾气' instead.

'发火' is slightly more colloquial and suggests a sudden burst of anger.

You can say '别发脾气了' or '把脾气收一收'.

No. If it's silent, it's '生气' or '闷气'. '发' implies a release.