嫉妒
How to Understand
嫉妒 refers to a feeling of resentment or jealousy toward someone else's success, advantages, or possessions. It is often used in a negative context and implies a desire to possess what others have, sometimes leading to harmful behavior.
The character 嫉 (jí) originally meant 'to resent' or 'to be jealous,' while 妒 (dù) means 'envy' or 'resentment.' Together, they form a compound that emphasizes the emotional intensity of envy, particularly in social or personal relationships.
嫉妒 is commonly used in everyday conversation to describe feelings of insecurity or resentment. In Chinese culture, it is often seen as a negative trait, and people are encouraged to cultivate contentment and avoid unnecessary comparisons with others. Related expressions include 嫉妒心 (jídù xīn), meaning 'a jealous heart,' and 嫉妒之情 (jídù zhī qíng), meaning 'feelings of jealousy.'