How to Write 忿 (fèn) — Meaning “anger; indignation; resentment”

Imagine your heart (心) being split (分) into two pieces by strong anger. This visual of a heart breaking apart will help you connect the character to its meaning of indignation and resentment.

The top part 分 has four strokes: first a left-falling stroke, then a right-falling stroke, then a horizontal hook, then a left-falling stroke. The bottom 心 has four strokes: a dot, a curved hook, then two dots. Be careful not to make the hook too flat or place the dots unevenly.

忿 (fèn) means anger or resentment, focusing on a disturbed heart. 忌 (jì) means jealousy or to avoid, and has 己 ('self') under the heart, suggesting a self-centered feeling. 忍 (rěn) means to endure or tolerate, and has 刃 ('blade') under the heart, implying a heart that bears pain.

忿 is less common in everyday speech and appears more in formal or literary contexts, often in set phrases like 忿忿不平 (to be indignant and feel wronged). It expresses a strong, often moral anger, not simple annoyance.

Common words containing 忿 include: 气忿 (qì fèn) — Indignant / Angry; 忿忿不平 (fèn fèn bù píng) — to be indignant; to feel resentful; 忿恨 (fèn hèn) — resentment; hatred; anger.