Definitions

(verb) to be jealous; to envy
(noun) jealousy

Etymology

An envious  woman  also provides the pronunciation

About

The character "嫉" developed with a semantic component of "女" (woman) and a phonetic component of "疾" (illness, swift), with its traditional form remaining the same. This structure historically linked the concept to a specific emotional or behavioral state associated with women in classical texts, where it often denoted jealousy or envy, particularly in a context of rivalry. Over time, its meaning converged with the near-synonym "妒", and the compound "嫉妒" came to represent the general concept of envy. While the core notion of resentful covetousness has been consistent, early usage sometimes carried a broader sense of hatred or malice before settling more narrowly on the pain at another's good fortune.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

她经常妒别人。

Tā jīngcháng jídù biérén.

She often envies others.

妒是一种不好的情绪。

Jídù shì yī zhǒng bù hǎo de qíngxù.

Jealousy is a bad emotion.

他因为妒而生气了。

Tā yīnwèi jídù ér shēngqì le.

He got angry because of jealousy.

不要妒朋友的成就。

Bùyào jídù péngyou de chéngjiù.

Do not envy your friend's achievements.

她的妒心让她很不快乐。

Tā de jídù xīn ràng tā hěn bù kuàilè.

Her jealousy makes her very unhappy.

妒往往源于自卑和不安全感。

Jídù wǎngwǎng yuán yú zìbēi hé bù ānquán gǎn.

Jealousy often stems from inferiority and insecurity.

他虽然妒同事的晋升,但努力掩饰了这种情绪。

Tā suīrán jídù tóngshì de jìnshēng, dàn nǔlì yǎnshì le zhè zhǒng qíngxù.

Although he envied his colleague's promotion, he tried to hide this emotion.

克服妒需要自我反省和培养感恩之心。

Kèfú jídù xūyào zìwǒ fǎnxǐng hé péiyǎng gǎn'ēn zhī xīn.

Overcoming jealousy requires self-reflection and cultivating a grateful heart.