# 愤世嫉俗

fèn shì jí sú

Feel bitterly hostile toward society and convention

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Resent the world and despise its customs

**Traditional Chinese:** 憤世嫉俗

**Register:** Critical · expressive

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Describe persistent cynical anger at social conditions.

Not every criticism of injustice is cynicism.

## Understanding the expression

The expression combines anger at the world with disdain for its prevailing habits. It describes a person whose outlook has become bitterly critical or cynical, often after disappointments or perceived hypocrisy. It can characterize a literary voice as well as everyday behavior. Concern about injustice alone is not enough: thoughtful criticism may seek constructive change. The phrase usually suggests a broader emotional posture in which distrust and resentment dominate the person’s response.

## Examples

他失意后变得愤世嫉俗。

### Traditional Chinese

他失意後變得憤世嫉俗。

tā shī yì hòu biàn de fèn shì jí sú 。

After setbacks, he became bitterly cynical.

这首诗带着愤世嫉俗的语气。

### Traditional Chinese

這首詩帶著憤世嫉俗的語氣。

zhè shǒu shī dài zhe fèn shì jí sú de yǔ qì 。

The poem has a bitterly critical tone toward society.

她不愿愤世嫉俗，而想改善社区。

### Traditional Chinese

她不願憤世嫉俗，而想改善社區。

tā bú yuàn fèn shì jí sú ， ér xiǎng gǎi shàn shè qū 。

She wanted to improve the community rather than become cynical.

他的话愤世嫉俗，却也指出了问题。

### Traditional Chinese

他的話憤世嫉俗，卻也指出了問題。

tā de huà fèn shì jí sú ， què yě zhǐ chū le wèn tí 。

His words were bitterly cynical, but they also identified real problems.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E6%86%A4%E4%B8%96%E5%AB%89%E4%BF%97)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=778&webMd=1&la=0)

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