腹立ち

はらだち

anger

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"腹立ち" (はらだち) is a noun meaning "anger" or "irritation." It expresses a strong feeling of being upset or annoyed, often due to someone's behavior or a frustrating situation.

Common Contexts

This word is often used in everyday conversation and writing to describe emotional reactions, especially when someone feels wronged or frustrated. It can be used both in casual and formal contexts, but it tends to appear more in written or polite speech rather than very casual slang.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 腹立ちを感じる: to feel anger
  • 腹立ちを抑える: to control or suppress anger
  • 腹立ち紛れに: in a fit of anger (used when someone says or does something rash because of anger)

Nuances and Tips

When using 腹立ち, the speaker implies a somewhat intense emotional response, stronger than simple annoyance but not necessarily rage. It is often used to describe a reaction to unfairness or irresponsibility.

A common learner mistake is confusing 腹立ち with 怒り (いかり). While both mean anger, 腹立ち often conveys a more personal, emotional irritation, whereas 怒り can be more formal or general. Use 腹立ち when emphasizing the emotional upset felt inside.

Summary

Use 腹立ち to express personal feelings of anger or irritation, especially when reacting to frustrating or unfair situations. It fits well in both spoken and written Japanese, with useful collocations that help express controlling or acting on anger.

Example Sentences

かれのむせきにんなたいどにはらだちをかんじた。

I felt anger at his irresponsible attitude.

はらだちをおさえるのはむずかしいときもある。

Sometimes it is difficult to control one’s anger.

はらだちまぐれにいってしまったことばをこうかいしている。

I regret the words I said in a fit of anger.