Definition
怏怏 is a literary reduplicated adverb (r.f.) meaning 'in a disgruntled or discontented manner'. It describes a state of sullen resentment or mild anger when someone doesn't get what they want or feels unfairly treated. You'll encounter it in formal or written Chinese, often paired with 不乐 (怏怏不乐 'sullen and unhappy') or 而去 (怏怏而去 'leave in a huff'). It's not used in everyday speech.
r.f.
(literary, adverb) disgruntledlysullenlywith discontent
Examples
- ，怏怏。Tā tīng le zhè huà, yàng yàng bú lè de zǒu le.After hearing this, he left sullenly and unhappily.
- ，怏怏。Bǐsài shū le, tā yàng yàng de zuò zài jiǎoluò lǐ.After losing the match, he sat in the corner feeling disgruntled.
- ，怏怏。Méiyǒu dédào shēngzhí, tā yàng yàng de líkāi le bàngōngshì.Not getting the promotion, he left the office in a huff.
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