ngaan5 hung4眼紅眼红
Jyutpingngaan5 hung4
Yalengáahn hùhng
Definition
To be jealous or envious of someone else's success or popularity.
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
Beyond the meaning of envy, this term can also describe eyes that are red from crying or lack of sleep. When used in the context of jealousy, it implies a bitter or resentful feeling toward someone else's success or good fortune. It often carries a negative connotation, suggesting that the person is being petty or narrow-minded.
Examples
He gets jealous whenever he sees others getting promoted; he is really petty.
Why do you need to be jealous of other people's wealth?
Related words
Common phrases
to be jealous of someone
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the literal physical state of having red eyes, which is also called 眼紅. Context is essential to distinguish between the emotional state of jealousy and the physical symptom of eye irritation or fatigue.
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.
