taam1 laam4貪婪贪婪
Jyutpingtaam1 laam4
Yaletāam làahm
Definition
Greedy; characterized by an insatiable desire for wealth or possessions.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
While 貪婪 is a standard term for greed, it carries a formal or literary weight that makes it sound quite serious when used in casual conversation. In everyday speech, people are much more likely to use 貪心 to describe someone who is greedy or wants too much. Reserve 貪婪 for when you want to emphasize a deep, almost moral corruption or a particularly intense level of selfishness.
Examples
He is a greedy person, he wants to hog everything.
Do you think this boss is very greedy?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse 貪婪 with 貪心. 貪心 is the go-to word for everyday situations, like a child wanting more candy or someone wanting a bigger slice of cake. Using 貪婪 in those light contexts sounds overly dramatic or like you are accusing someone of a serious character flaw.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
