zang1 jan4 fu3 gwai3 jim3 jan4 kung4憎人富貴厭人窮憎人富贵厌人穷
Definition
To look down on the poor while harboring resentment towards the rich, describing someone who is selfish and snobbish.
How it's used
This idiom describes a hypocritical mindset where someone feels resentment toward those who are successful while simultaneously showing contempt for those who are struggling. It is often used to criticize people who lack empathy and judge others solely based on their financial status. The phrase is a fixed expression that captures a specific type of social snobbery common in interpersonal conflicts.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple description of jealousy, but it specifically highlights the double standard of hating both the rich and the poor. It is a strong, critical remark, so avoid using it lightly in casual conversation unless you intend to call someone out for their poor character.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
