覦 (yú) - to covet & to desire something that belongs to someone else
覦 · yú
to covet;
to desire something that belongs to someone else;
to have ambitious designs
to covetto desire something that belongs to someone elseto have ambitious designs
Usage highlights
to covet the throneto have designs on territoryto covet wealthto desire powerto eye with ambitionto have ulterior motives
Usage & contexts
Examples
- He coveted his neighbor's property (覬覦鄰居的財產).
- The ambitious minister coveted the throne (覬覦王位).
- They have designs on the company's leadership position (覬覦公司的領導職位).
- The rival nation coveted the rich mineral resources (覬覦豐富的礦產資源).
Collocations
- to covet the throne(覬覦王位)
- to have designs on territory(覬覦領土)
- to covet wealth(覬覦財富)
- to desire power(覬覦權力)
- to eye with ambition(覬覦的目光)
- to have ulterior motives(覬覦之心)
Idioms
- To covet something beyond one's reach(覬覦非分)
- To have ambitious designs(心存覬覦)
- To eye with greedy intentions(虎視覬覦)
Cultural background
FAQ- This character carries a negative connotation, implying improper or excessive desire for what rightfully belongs to others.
- In traditional Confucian ethics, coveting others' possessions or status is considered morally wrong and disruptive to social harmony.
- Often appears in historical contexts describing ministers or officials with ambitions beyond their station.