han6 sei2 gaak3 lei4恨死隔離恨死隔离
Jyutpinghan6 sei2 gaak3 lei4
Yalehahn séi gaak lèih
Definition
To make others extremely jealous or envious.
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
This expression uses 隔離 to refer to neighbors or people nearby, implying that the person's good fortune is so extreme that it provokes jealousy in everyone in their immediate vicinity. It is often used in a lighthearted or hyperbolic way to comment on someone's success, wealth, or good luck. While it literally describes the feeling of the onlookers, it is frequently used as a direct comment to the person who is being envied.
Examples
He bought a new car, it really makes everyone around him so envious!
You are so lucky, it is simply enviable to everyone.
Related words
Common phrases
really makes everyone envious
simply makes everyone envious
Common mistake
Do not mistake this for a literal description of neighbors feeling hate; it is a fixed idiomatic phrase used to express that something is highly desirable or impressive. It is strictly colloquial and should not be used in formal writing or professional settings.
Grammar color guide
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Adjective
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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.
