📖 Meaning
To be visibly angry and displeased, with an unpleasant look on one's face. The term 艴然 describes the angry expression someone shows when offended. It conveys a strong sense of resentment that is clearly displayed rather than hidden.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the Mencius (《孟子·公孙丑上》), a text from the Warring States period. In the passage, Mencius recounts how he asked Zeng Xi (曾西), a disciple lineage descendant, whether he or the famous statesman Guan Zhong (管仲) was more virtuous. Zeng Xi became visibly angry and displeased, retorting that it was outrageous to compare him with Guan Zhong. The phrase 艴然不悦 thus came to describe someone showing open displeasure at an offensive remark or comparison.
💡 Example Usage
听到这番无理指责，他艴然不悦，转身离开了房间。
Hearing these groundless accusations, he looked visibly displeased and left the room.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 艴然不悦
- Pinyin: fú rán bù yuè
- Literal Translation: angry-expression, not, pleased
- Category: Emotion
- Characters: 4