觊 (jì) - to covet & to have ambitious desires
觊 · jì
to covet;
to have ambitious desires;
to hope for something beyond one's reach
to covetto have ambitious desiresto hope for something beyond one's reach
Usage highlights
to covet the throneto have designs on territoryto covet powerto eye wealthto desire someone else's positionto have ambitions for
Usage & contexts
Examples
- He coveted the throne (觊觎皇位).
- They had designs on the neighboring country's territory (觊觎邻国领土).
- She coveted her colleague's promotion (觊觎同事的升职).
- The company eyed the emerging market (觊觎新兴市场).
Collocations
- to covet the throne(觊觎皇位)
- to have designs on territory(觊觎领土)
- to covet power(觊觎权力)
- to eye wealth(觊觎财富)
- to desire someone else's position(觊觎他人职位)
- to have ambitions for(觊觎之心)
Idioms
- To covet and watch for an opportunity(觊觎窥伺)
- To harbor covetous intentions(怀有觊觎之心)
- Long-standing covetous desires(久存觊觎)
Cultural background
FAQ- Originally depicted seeing and hoping, evolving to mean coveting what is seen but not rightfully owned.
- Often used in historical contexts describing ambitions for throne, power, or territory.
- Carries negative moral connotations of improper desire and ambition in Confucian ethics.