‘糙脾气’ literally combines 糙 (cāo, 'coarse, rough'), 脾 (pí, 'spleen'—used idiomatically to refer to temperament), and 气 (qì, 'vital energy' or 'disposition'). In traditional Chinese medicine and idiomatic usage, the spleen is associated with emotional regulation—particularly irritability and impatience—so ‘糙脾气’ describes a temperament that is blunt, easily provoked, and lacking in refinement or patience. It’s not about being cruel, but rather about reacting quickly and coarsely, often without softening one’s tone or filtering impulses.

This term carries mild disapproval but is often used affectionately or descriptively—not as an insult, but as an observation of someone’s unpolished, straightforward, or hot-tempered nature. It commonly appears in informal speech, literature, or family contexts when explaining why someone snaps at small annoyances or speaks harshly without intending harm. The ‘coarseness’ suggests a lack of social polish, not moral failing.