竊竊

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.

     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!

     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

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

     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;