dou3妒

Jyutpingdou3

Yaledou

語素Rare

Definition

To feel jealous, envious, or unhappy because someone has something you do not.

colloquialemotionpeople

How it's used

The character 妒 is rarely used as a standalone verb in modern Cantonese and almost always appears as part of the compound 妒忌. It specifically describes the resentment felt when someone else possesses something you lack. While it carries a negative connotation, it is frequently used to describe common human reactions to success or material wealth.

Examples

gin3見dou2到jan4人dei6哋gam3咁hou2好，nei5你m4唔hou2好dou3妒gei6忌aa4呀。

Don't be jealous just because others are doing so well.

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日dou3妒gei6忌jan4人dei6哋jau5有cin2錢gwo3過keoi5佢。

He is always jealous that others are richer than him.

Common phrases

dou3妒gei6忌sam1心

jealousy (as a feeling)

dou3妒gei6忌jan4人

to be jealous of someone

Common mistake

Learners often confuse 妒忌 with 羨慕. 羨慕 is a neutral or positive feeling of admiration for someone's achievements, whereas 妒忌 implies a bitter, negative resentment towards the person.