HSK · Level 7
134 words
Chinese word
贪
Pronunciation
Pinyintān
Meaning
- verbbe greedy
Example
别贪，留点给别人。bié tān liú diǎn gěi bié rén
Don't be greedy; leave some for others.
More examples
他太贪，什么都想要。tā tài tān shén me dōu xiǎng yào
He is too greedy; he wants everything.
Core concept
An urge to take in more of a desired thing than is fair, with too little regard for others.
Common phrases
贪图小利tān tú xiǎo lì
crave small profits
贪占便宜tān zhàn pián yi
try to take advantage
Similar words
贪图tān tú: Trying to gain a benefit or enjoy something desirable for oneself.
谋取móu qǔ: Pursuing a benefit by making plans or using specific methods.
牟取móu qǔ: Pursuing profit by using unfair methods.
占为己有zhàn wèi jí yǒu: Claiming something for oneself and refusing to give it to others.
Definition in Chinese
对财物、利益或享受有过度的渴求，常表现为占有或不愿分享的行为。duì cái wù lì yì huò xiǎng shòu yǒu guò dù de kě qiú cháng biǎo xiàn wèi zhàn yǒu huò bú yuàn fēn xiǎng de xíng wéi
Word origin
The older form behind 贪 (tān, "be greedy") is 貪 (tān, "be greedy"): 今 (jīn, "now") + 貝 (bèi, "shell; wealth"), with 今 mainly indicating sound and 貝 evoking valuable goods.
Usage tips
- The verb 贪 (tān, "be greedy") can stand without an object when the context makes the desired thing clear, but naming that thing makes the warning more precise in everyday speech.