‘愤慨’ is a formal noun meaning ‘indignation’—a strong feeling of anger and disapproval, usually triggered by injustice, unfairness, or moral wrongdoing. The first character 愤 (fèn) means ‘anger’ or ‘outrage’, while the second 慨 (kǎi) conveys ‘deep emotion’ or ‘sighing with emotion’; together, they emphasize a morally charged, righteous anger—not mere irritation or frustration. It often appears in written Chinese, news reports, speeches, or serious discussions where social, ethical, or political issues are raised.

This word carries a dignified, somewhat literary tone and is rarely used in casual conversation. It implies that the speaker not only feels angry but also judges the situation as ethically unacceptable. Because of its gravity, 愤慨 is commonly paired with verbs like 表达 (to express), 流露 (to show), or 引起 (to provoke), and frequently modified by adjectives like 强烈 (intense) or 极度 (extreme). It reflects a collective or principled stance rather than personal annoyance.