How to Say
How to Write
òu
Radical: 忄 7 strokes
Meaning: to annoy
💡 Heart (忄) in an area (区) gets annoyed—picture confined irritation.
Compounds

📚 Character Story & Explanation

怄 (òu) meaning in English —

The character 怄 (òu) combines the heart radical 忄 (xīn) with 区 (ōu, area). Its core meaning is 'to annoy' or 'to irritate,' often implying a smoldering resentment rather than open anger. In Chinese culture, suppressing emotions is common, and 怄 describes that internal festering—like being silently annoyed by a petty grievance. It appears in phrases about 'sulking' or 'holding a grudge.'

💬 Example Sentences

Common Compounds

Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up

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