妒忌

• Pinyin: dù jì
• Hanzi breakdown: 妒 = 女 (woman radical) + 户 (household); 忌 = 己 (self) + 心 (heart)

Meaning

To feel jealous or envious of another person's advantages, achievements, or qualities. Implies resentment arising from unfavourable comparison.

Slightly more literary than 嫉妒, though both are common and largely interchangeable in modern usage. Focuses on the emotional state of jealousy directed at another's success. Common in literary, psychological, and interpersonal contexts. Not used for physical possessiveness (use 占有欲 for that).

Examples

1. 他因为同事获得晋升而心生妒忌，工作态度开始消极。 He grew jealous when a coworker got promoted, and his attitude at work became negative.
2. 她从不妒忌别人的成就，而是把别人的成功当作自己努力的动力。 She never envies other people’s achievements; instead, she treats their success as motivation to work harder.
3. 过度的妒忌心理会损害人际关系，甚至影响身心健康。 Excessive jealousy can damage relationships and even affect physical and mental health.

Usage Guide

Context: interpersonal, psychology, literature

Tone: negative

Do Say

• 研究表明，长期处于妒忌情绪中的人更容易出现焦虑和抑郁症状。(Research shows that people who experience prolonged jealousy are more prone to anxiety and depression.)
• 他不掩饰自己对同学出色表现的妒忌，但也承认自己需要更加努力。(He did not hide his jealousy of his classmate's outstanding performance, but also acknowledged that he needed to work harder.)

Don't Say

• 他妒忌那辆车 — 妒忌 applies to people's achievements or qualities, not objects; say 他很羡慕那辆车 or 他非常想拥有那辆车 for coveting an object

Origin & History

妒 (jealous — woman radical + household) + 忌 (resent/envy/avoid)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal