贪欲 is a compound noun meaning 'greed' or 'avarice' — an intense, excessive desire for something, especially wealth, power, or material possessions. The first character 贪 (tān) means 'to be greedy' or 'to covet', while the second character 欲 (yù) means 'desire' or 'urge'. Together, they form a formal, slightly literary term that emphasizes the moral or psychological weight of unchecked longing. It often appears in philosophical, religious (especially Buddhist), and ethical contexts to describe a harmful mental state that leads to suffering or unethical behavior.

Unlike more neutral words like 想要 (xiǎng yào, 'to want'), 贪欲 carries strong negative connotations — it implies excess, selfishness, and loss of self-control. It’s commonly used in written Chinese, speeches, or moral instruction, rather than casual conversation. You’ll find it in classical texts, modern essays on ethics, and discussions about human nature or social issues like corruption or consumerism.