Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== yǎnhóng: 眼红 - To be jealous, to be envious, to covet ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** yǎnhóng, yan hong, 眼红, Chinese for jealous, Chinese for envy, what does yanhong mean, red eyes meaning Chinese, jealous vs envious Chinese, HSK 5 vocabulary * **Summary:** Discover the meaning of **yǎnhóng (眼红)**, a vivid Chinese term that literally translates to "red eyes." This common expression is used to describe the feeling of intense jealousy or envy towards someone else's success, possessions, or good fortune. Learn how this colorful word differs from more formal terms for jealousy and the English idiom "green with envy," and see how to use it naturally in modern conversation. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** yǎnhóng * **Part of Speech:** Adjective, Verb * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 * **Concise Definition:** To be jealous of or envious of someone's good fortune, success, or possessions. * **In a Nutshell:** **Yǎnhóng (眼红)** paints a picture. Imagine seeing a friend's brand new car or hearing about their promotion and feeling a rush of emotion so strong that your eyes metaphorically turn red with desire. It's a visceral, gut-level feeling of "I want that!" It's less about hating the other person and more about coveting what they have. It's a very common and human way to express envy in Chinese. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **眼 (yǎn):** This character means "eye." It's a pictograph that originally looked more like a physical eye. * **红 (hóng):** This character means "red," the color of strong emotions like passion, anger, and, in this case, intense envy. * The two characters combine to create a powerful metaphor. **"Red eyes" (眼红)** vividly suggests a physical reaction to seeing something you desperately want. The blood rushes to your eyes as you are consumed by envy. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== * **Yǎnhóng (眼红)** is a testament to how directly and expressively the Chinese language can capture complex emotions. While envy is a universal human feeling, the way it's described as a physical state—"red eyes"—is distinctly Chinese. * **Comparison with "Green with Envy":** In English, the equivalent idiom is to be "green with envy" or to be plagued by the "green-eyed monster." Both phrases capture the same core feeling. However, **yǎnhóng** is used far more frequently in daily conversation as a simple adjective or verb, much like saying "I'm so jealous." The English expressions, by contrast, are more idiomatic and slightly more literary. * The term often comes up in discussions related to social comparison (**攀比 pānbǐ**), a significant aspect of modern Chinese society where rapid economic development has created visible disparities in wealth and success. Seeing a neighbor's new car or a former classmate's high-paying job is a classic trigger for feeling **yǎnhóng**. It's an open acknowledgment of the competitive pressures and materialistic desires present in contemporary culture. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== * **Connotation:** Almost always informal and carries a slightly negative connotation, but it's not a severe accusation. It's often used in a relatable, sometimes even humorous or self-deprecating way. * **Flexibility:** It can be used as both an adjective (describing a state) and a transitive verb (acting upon an object). * As an adjective: 他很**眼红**。(Tā hěn **yǎnhóng**.) - He is very envious. * As a verb: 他**眼红**我的新工作。(Tā **yǎnhóng** wǒ de xīn gōngzuò.) - He is envious of my new job. * **Common Scenarios:** You'll hear **yǎnhóng** used among friends, family, and colleagues when talking about promotions, salaries, new purchases (phones, cars, apartments), vacations, or even someone's talents or relationships. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 看到我的新手机，他有点儿**眼红**了。 * Pinyin: Kàndào wǒ de xīn shǒujī, tā yǒudiǎnr **yǎnhóng** le. * English: Seeing my new phone, he got a little envious. * Analysis: This is a classic, everyday use of the term. It's informal and describes a common reaction to seeing a friend's new gadget. * **Example 2:** * 你别**眼红**别人，有本事自己也去争取啊！ * Pinyin: Nǐ bié **yǎnhóng** biérén, yǒu běnshì zìjǐ yě qù zhēngqǔ a! * English: Don't be envious of others. If you have the ability, go and strive for it yourself! * Analysis: Here, **yǎnhóng** is used as a verb in a command ("Don't be envious"). The sentence has a slightly critical but motivational tone. * **Example 3:** * 他年纪轻轻就当上了经理，同事们都**眼红**得不得了。 * Pinyin: Tā niánjì qīngqīng jiù dāng shàng le jīnglǐ, tóngshìmen dōu **yǎnhóng** de bùdéliǎo. * English: He became a manager at such a young age; his colleagues were incredibly jealous. * Analysis: The structure "得不得了 (de bùdéliǎo)" is used to intensify the adjective, meaning "extremely" or "incredibly." It emphasizes the high degree of envy. * **Example 4:** * 哇，你中彩票了？真让我**眼红**！ * Pinyin: Wā, nǐ zhòng cǎipiào le? Zhēn ràng wǒ **yǎnhóng**! * English: Wow, you won the lottery? That really makes me jealous! * Analysis: This is a perfect example of self-deprecating or friendly use. The speaker isn't being malicious; they're expressing a mix of surprise and good-natured envy. * **Example 5:** * 他的成功不是靠运气，你没什么可**眼红**的。 * Pinyin: Tā de chénggōng bùshì kào yùnqì, nǐ méishénme kě **yǎnhóng** de. * English: His success wasn't due to luck, so you have nothing to be envious of. * Analysis: This sentence explains the reason why someone *shouldn't* feel **yǎnhóng**, implying that envy is only appropriate for unearned gains. * **Example 6:** * 小王**眼红**邻居家的那辆新车很久了。 * Pinyin: Xiǎo Wáng **yǎnhóng** línjū jiā de nà liàng xīnchē hěnjiǔ le. * English: Little Wang has been coveting his neighbor's new car for a long time. * Analysis: This shows **yǎnhóng** used as a verb followed directly by the object of envy. The "了 (le)" at the end indicates the action has been ongoing. * **Example 7:** * 我不是**眼红**她的财富，而是羡慕她的自由。 * Pinyin: Wǒ bùshì **yǎnhóng** tā de cáifù, érshì xiànmù tā de zìyóu. * English: I'm not envious of her wealth, but rather I admire her freedom. * Analysis: This sentence provides a great contrast with [[羡慕]] (xiànmù), which means "to admire" or "to envy" in a more positive, aspirational way. * **Example 8:** * 在这个竞争激烈的行业里，总会有人**眼红**你的成就。 * Pinyin: Zài zhège jìngzhēng jīliè de hángyè lǐ, zǒng huì yǒurén **yǎnhóng** nǐ de chéngjiù. * English: In this competitive industry, there will always be people who are jealous of your achievements. * Analysis: This example places the term in a professional or business context, describing a common dynamic. * **Example 9:** * 你看他那**眼红**的样子，就知道他心里不舒服。 * Pinyin: Nǐ kàn tā nà **yǎnhóng** de yàngzi, jiù zhīdào tā xīnli bù shūfu. * English: Look at his jealous expression, and you'll know he's upset inside. * Analysis: Here, **yǎnhóng** is used as an adjective to directly describe someone's appearance or manner ("the jealous look"). * **Example 10:** * 与其**眼红**他人，不如努力提升自己。 * Pinyin: Yǔqí **yǎnhóng** tārén, bùrú nǔlì tíshēng zìjǐ. * English: Rather than being envious of others, it's better to work hard to improve yourself. * Analysis: This is a common piece of advice or proverb-like sentence, framing **yǎnhóng** as an unproductive emotion. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **Yǎnhóng vs. Jídù:** The most common point of confusion is between **眼红 (yǎnhóng)** and **嫉妒 (jídù)**. * **眼红 (yǎnhóng)** is colloquial, common, and focuses more on **coveting** what someone else has. It's like saying, "I want that, too!" It's less severe. * **嫉妒 (jídù)** is more formal and serious. It implies a deeper resentment and often a degree of malice or ill will toward the other person. It's closer to the dark side of jealousy. You wouldn't say "我嫉妒你的新手机" (I'm jealous of your new phone) to a friend; it would sound overly dramatic and negative. You would use **眼红**. * **Yǎnhóng vs. Chīcù:** Never confuse **眼红** with romantic jealousy. For jealousy over a partner or a romantic rival, you must use **[[吃醋]] (chīcù)**, which literally means "to eat vinegar." Using **眼红** in a romantic context is incorrect. * Correct: 我男朋友跟别的女孩说话，我**吃醋**了。(Wǒ nánpéngyou gēn biéde nǚhái shuōhuà, wǒ **chīcù** le.) - My boyfriend talked to another girl, and I got jealous. * Incorrect: 我男朋友跟别的女孩说话，我**眼红**了。 * **Not a Medical Condition:** For beginners, remember that **眼红** is a metaphor. It does not mean someone has a literal eye infection or pinkeye. If you want to say your eyes are red for a medical reason, you would say something like "我的眼睛很红 (wǒ de yǎnjīng hěn hóng)" or "我眼睛发炎了 (wǒ yǎnjīng fāyán le)." ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[嫉妒]] (jídù) - A more formal, serious, and negative term for "jealousy" that often implies resentment or ill will. * [[羡慕]] (xiànmù) - To admire or to envy. This is often used in a more positive or aspirational way, without the negative feeling of covetousness. * [[吃醋]] (chīcù) - Literally "to eat vinegar." This term is used exclusively for jealousy in a romantic context. * [[攀比]] (pānbǐ) - The social act of comparing oneself with others (e.g., in wealth, status) and trying to keep up. This behavior often leads to feelings of **眼红**. * [[酸]] (suān) - Literally "sour." A very popular modern slang term, especially online, used to describe a feeling of salty jealousy. Someone might comment "我酸了 (wǒ suān le)" on a friend's vacation photo, meaning "I'm so jealous." * [[羡慕嫉妒恨]] (xiànmù jídù hèn) - A popular internet phrase meaning "admiration, jealousy, and hate." It describes the progression of feelings one might have towards someone who is very successful.