Definition

Adjective: - Jealous: Feeling or showing envy of someone or their achievements and advantages; wanting to have what someone else has. This word specifically describes a state of resentful or envious desire.

Usage

• As an adjective: Used to describe a person who is experiencing jealousy. It directly modifies a noun (person) and is often used with the verb "là" (to be) or "cảm thấy" (to feel).
  • Cô ấy rất cành nanh khi thấy đồng nghiệp được thăng chức. (She is very jealous when she sees her colleague get promoted.)
  • Đừng có cành nanh với thành công của người khác. (Don't be jealous of other people's success.)

Advanced Usage

• "cành nanh đố kỵ": This is a common compound phrase where "cành nanh" is paired with "đố kỵ" (envious, resentful) for emphasis, intensifying the meaning of jealousy mixed with ill will.
  • Sự cành nanh đố kỵ có thể phá hủy các mối quan hệ. (Jealousy and resentment can destroy relationships.)
• "tính cành nanh": Refers to a jealous nature or character trait.
  • Anh ta có tính cành nanh nên khó chịu khi bạn gái nói chuyện với người khác. (He has a jealous nature, so he gets upset when his girlfriend talks to others.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ghen (verb/adjective): To be jealous/envious; a more common and general synonym. "Ghen" can be used in romantic contexts ("ghen tuông" - to be jealous in love) or general contexts.
• Đố kỵ (adjective): Envious, resentful; often implies a more malicious or begrudging feeling than simple jealousy.
• Ghen tị (adjective): Envious, covetous; similar to "đố kỵ," focusing on wanting what others have.

Synonyms

• Ghen: Jealous, envious.
• Ghen tị: Envious.
• Đố kỵ: Resentful, envious.

Related Idioms

• "Cành nanh ghen tuông": A phrase describing intense jealousy, often in a romantic context.
  • Anh ấy đầy cành nanh ghen tuông mà không có lý do. (He is full of irrational jealousy.)
• "Mắt cành nanh" (less common): Literally "jealous eyes," describing a look of envy.
  • Cô nhìn tôi với ánh mắt cành nanh. (She looked at me with envious eyes.)

adjective

1. jealous