khib siab
The Hmong word for jealous is khib siab.
khib siab is an adjective used to describe being envious or feeling resentful toward someone because of a perceived advantage, whether that advantage is material or otherwise.
Meaning: envious, feeling resentful of someone for a perceived advantage, material or otherwise (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of khib, meaning to be angry or resentful and siab, meaning heart or chest, literally translating to angry heart.
Did you know?
- The word siab may have historical roots in an ancient word for 'liver'. This suggests that ancient Hmong speakers associated the liver with the seat of feelings.
- Many Hmong emotional states are described using the word siab. Whether someone is happy, sad or jealous, the 'heart' or 'chest' is the primary location of the feeling.
- In Hmong culture, emotions are often described as physical sensations in the chest. Saying someone is khib siab describes a physical feeling of tightness or resentment in that area.
Examples in context
- Tsis txhob khib siab rau nws lub nyiaj.Don't be jealous of his money.
- Kuv tsis xav ua ib tug khib siab.I do not want to be a jealous person.
Example conversation
Yia and Xiong are talking about a promotion at work.
- YiaXiong, koj tau txais kev thauj hiav tshiab!Xiong, you got a new promotion!
- XiongYeej, tab sis kuv txhawj tias luag khib siab.Yes, but I worry that people are jealous.
- YiaKoj tsis txhob xav li ntawd, koj tau txaus.Don't think like that, you earned it.
- XiongUa tsaug Yia, kuv zoo siab kawg.Thank you Yia, I am very happy.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries siab, CC BY-SA 4.0.
