taam1 tou4貪圖贪图
Jyutpingtaam1 tou4
Yaletāam tòuh
Definition
To covet, seek, or hanker after something for personal gain or benefit.
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
Carries a strong negative connotation, implying that the person is sacrificing long-term quality or moral integrity for immediate, selfish gratification. It is frequently used to criticize people who choose the path of least resistance or prioritize material gain over more important values. Unlike neutral words for wanting something, this specifically highlights a lack of foresight or a greedy mindset.
Examples
He only seeks convenience in his work, which makes everything very troublesome.
Related words
Common phrases
to hanker after petty gains
to seek convenience
to hanker after comfort and ease
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe normal, healthy desires or ambitions. It is strictly for selfish or short-sighted pursuits, so using it to describe someone who wants a promotion or a better life can sound unnecessarily harsh or accusatory.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
