妨忌 is a formal or literary verb meaning 'to be jealous of' or 'to begrudge'—especially when someone resents another’s success, advantages, or good fortune and feels it diminishes their own standing. The character 妨 (fáng) originally means 'to hinder' or 'to obstruct', while 忌 (jì) means 'to be jealous of' or 'to fear and avoid'. Together, they convey the sense of jealousy that actively impedes or undermines—often emotionally or socially, not physically. It's more intense than simple jealousy; it implies resentment strong enough to cause ill will or passive hostility.

This word appears most often in written Chinese—such as essays, historical narratives, or moral commentary—and is rarely used in casual speech. It commonly describes interpersonal dynamics where status, reputation, or opportunity is perceived as zero-sum: one person’s gain feels like another’s loss. While related to envy, 妨忌 carries a stronger connotation of moral disapproval and social tension.