Meaning and Usage
"生气" primarily means "to get angry" or "to be upset." It is a common expression used to describe someone's emotional reaction when displeased or annoyed. Besides this emotional meaning, "生气" can also refer to vitality or liveliness, especially when describing objects or scenes that appear full of life.
Common Collocations
- 生气了 (shēngqì le): to have gotten angry
- 不生气 (bù shēngqì): not angry, don't be angry
- 有生气 (yǒu shēngqì): full of vitality
Usage Notes
When used to express anger, "生气" often appears after a cause or reason, e.g., "因为...生气" (angry because...). It is usually used in informal or everyday speech. When describing vitality, it is often used in literary or descriptive contexts.
Avoiding Confusion
Do not confuse "生气" with "气" alone, which can mean air or gas. "生气" as a phrase specifically relates to anger or vitality, depending on context.