Meaning and Usage
The term 眼红 (yǎnhóng) literally means "eyes red," but it is commonly used to express jealousy or envy toward someone else's possessions, achievements, or advantages. It often implies a mild or natural feeling of wanting what others have rather than intense resentment.
Common Contexts
You will hear 眼红 used in everyday conversations when people talk about feeling envious of others’ success, belongings, or status. It is informal and can be used in both spoken and written Chinese.
Collocations and Patterns
- 眼红别人 (yǎnhóng biérén): to envy others
- 眼红成功 (yǎnhóng chénggōng): to envy success
- 心里眼红 (xīn lǐ yǎnhóng): feeling jealous inside
These collocations emphasize the target of envy and are very common in daily speech.
Nuances
Using 眼红 often conveys a somewhat lighthearted or relatable emotion rather than harsh criticism. It differs from stronger words like 嫉妒 (jídù), which can carry a more negative or hostile tone.
Common Confusion
Don’t confuse 眼红 with literal redness of the eyes due to irritation or illness. In context, 眼红 almost always refers to envy or jealousy.