cou3 ji3醋意
Jyutpingcou3 ji3
Yalechou yi
Definition
Jealousy; romantic jealousy.
colloquialemotion
How it's used
Often used to describe a subtle or simmering feeling of jealousy rather than an explosive confrontation. It carries a slightly literary or descriptive tone compared to the more direct 妒忌. You will frequently hear it paired with verbs that suggest the feeling is rising or being released, such as 湧現 or 大發.
Measure word
zan6陣janhExamples
Don't be so jealous just because you saw him chatting with someone.
His words were sour, clearly he was overcome with jealousy.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this as a direct verb like you might with 妒忌. It functions as a noun, so you need a supporting verb or a measure word to describe the intensity of the feeling.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
