bàozào: 暴躁 - Irritable, Grumpy, Short-tempered

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.”

`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 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.

• `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.”

• 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.