嫉妒 (jídù) — use 妒忌 for a more general sense of jealousy, while 嫉妒 often implies a stronger emotional reaction or resentment.

Imagine a green-eyed monster named 'Du' who is always peeking at others' achievements, feeling a twinge of jealousy. The character 妒 (du) looks like a person with a frown, while 忌 (ji) resembles someone being cautious or wary, reflecting the unease that jealousy brings.

Be cautious about using 妒忌 in formal settings, as it can carry strong emotional connotations. It is commonly used in informal conversations. A common mistake is to confuse it with 嫉妒 (ji2 du4), which has a similar meaning but can sound more intense; use 妒忌 for a slightly softer expression.

While 妒忌 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it connects well with vocabulary related to emotions and interpersonal relationships. Focus on using it in sentences that express feelings of envy to better understand its nuances.

In Chinese culture, expressing 妒忌 openly can be considered impolite, as it may disrupt harmony in relationships. However, the feeling itself is acknowledged and understood, often discussed in the context of competition, especially in education and career.

Learners often confuse 妒忌 with 嫉妒; while both mean jealousy, 嫉妒 is more intense. For example, saying '我嫉妒他的成功' (I envy his success) would be stronger than '我妒忌他的成功.'