竊竊

Pronunciation

Adjective

竊竊

1. (literary, ideophonic, archaic) with careful discrimination; observing clearly
   • 且有大覺而後知此其大夢也，而愚者自以為覺，竊竊然知之。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     且有大觉而后知此其大梦也，而愚者自以为觉，窃窃然知之。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: Zhuangzi, circa 3^rd – 2^nd centuries BCE

     Qiě yǒu dà jué ér hòu zhī cǐ qí dà mèng yě, ér yú zhě zì yǐ wéi jué, qièqiè rán zhī zhī. [Pinyin]

     And there is the great awaking, after which we shall know that this life was a great dream. All the while, the stupid think they are awake, and with nice discrimination insist on their knowledge.
   • 是其於辯也，將妄鑿垣牆而殖蓬蒿也。簡髮而櫛，數米而炊，竊竊乎又何足以濟世哉！ [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     是其于辩也，将妄凿垣墙而殖蓬蒿也。简发而栉，数米而炊，窃窃乎又何足以济世哉！ [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: Zhuangzi, circa 3^rd – 2^nd centuries BCE

     Shì qí yú biàn yě, jiāngwàng záo yuánqiáng ér zhí pénghāo yě. Jiǎn fà ér zhì, shǔ mǐ ér chuī, qièqiè hū yòu hé zú yǐ jìshì zāi! [Pinyin]

     Their sophistical reasonings (resembled) the reckless breaking down of walls and enclosures and planting the wild rubus and wormwood in their place; or making the hair thin before they combed it; or counting the grains of rice before they cooked them. They would do such things with careful discrimination; but what was there in them to benefit the world?
2. (ideophonic) talking in a low voice; whispering; in whispers

Adverb

竊竊

1. secretly; privately; covertly; behind one's back
   • 我都寂寞多久了還是沒好　感覺全世界都在竊竊嘲笑 [MSC, trad.]
     我都寂寞多久了还是没好　感觉全世界都在窃窃嘲笑 [MSC, simp.]

     From: 2013, 田馥甄 (lyrics 施人誠), 《你就不要想起我》

     wǒ dōu jìmò duōjiǔ le háishì méi hǎo; gǎnjiào quánshìjiè dōu zài qièqiè cháoxiào [Pinyin]

     It's been so long but my loneliness still hasn't gone,
     It feels like the whole world is laughing at me in its sleeve;