"火冒三丈" (huǒ mào sān zhàng) - Three Zhangs of Fire Bursting Out

To be in a towering rage; to be extremely angry; to fly into a violent rage.

Meaning and Usage

"火冒三丈" (huǒ mào sān zhàng) literally translates to "fire bursts out three zhang." Zhang (丈) is a traditional Chinese unit of length, approximately 3.3 meters. The idiom uses the image of fire leaping upwards to a great height to vividly describe extreme anger. It suggests that one's anger is so intense that it's almost tangible, like a visible flame.

• Example (Expressing extreme anger at someone's betrayal): “得知被朋友背叛后，他气得火冒三丈。” (“Dé zhī bèi péngyou bèipàn hòu, tā qì de huǒ mào sān zhàng.”) – “After learning of his friend’s betrayal, he was so angry that three zhangs of fire burst out.”

• Example (Describing a situation causing great anger): “看到孩子被欺负，他顿时火冒三丈，想要找对方理论。” (“Kàn dào háizi bèi qīfu, tā dùnshí huǒ mào sān zhàng, xiǎng yào zhǎo duìfāng lǐlùn.”) – “Seeing his child being bullied, he immediately became extremely angry and wanted to reason with the other party.”

Cultural Significance of Chéngyǔ (成语)

"火冒三丈" is a highly expressive idiom that vividly conveys the intensity of anger in Chinese culture. It demonstrates how language can use concrete imagery to depict abstract emotions.

Synonyms and Related Concepts

• 怒发冲冠 (nù fà chōng guān): One's hair bristles in anger and lifts one's hat; to be extremely angry.
• 勃然大怒 (bó rán dà nù): To fly into a rage; to become suddenly furious.
• 七窍生烟 (qī qiào shēng yān): Smoke comes out of all seven orifices (eyes, ears, nostrils, mouth); to be extremely angry.