gei3覬觊
Jyutpinggei3
Yalegei
Definition
To hope to obtain; to covet or wish for something.
writtenemotion
How it's used
This term carries a strong negative connotation of greed or improper desire. It is almost exclusively used in the compound form 覬覦, as using the single character 覬 on its own sounds unnatural and archaic in modern spoken Cantonese. It implies an intense, often illicit, longing for something that is currently held by someone else.
Examples
He is always coveting other people's salaries.
Don't covet things that don't belong to you.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a general word for wanting something, but it specifically implies covetousness or greed. It is not appropriate for expressing simple wishes or desires like wanting to eat or travel.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
