Translation guide
Describes an extreme desire for wealth or possessions, often in a negative sense. Japanese expresses this through adjectives, nouns, and descriptive phrases.
Describing a person who is excessively focused on acquiring money or material gain.
Expressing an unquenchable craving for anything, not just money, such as power, knowledge, or experiences.
Used for intense desire in any domain. Can be positive (eager to learn) or negative (greedy for power).
欲張り (yokubari) is everyday 'greedy' for small things. 強欲 (gōyoku) is harsh, ruthless greed. 貪欲 (don'yoku) is intense craving, sometimes positive. Choose based on intensity and context.
The greedy child ate all the cake.
His avaricious nature led to his downfall.
欲張りな投資家はリスクを無視した。
The greedy investor ignored the risks.
Stronger and more negative than 欲張りな, implying ruthless or insatiable greed. Often used in formal or written contexts.
The avaricious manager ruined the company.
Literary term for voracious greed, often for knowledge or success as well as money. Can be positive in some contexts (e.g., 貪欲に学ぶ).
He is an avaricious money-grubber.
Colloquial phrase meaning 'money-grubbing' or 'stingy with money'. Implies a dirty or unscrupulous attitude toward money.
That person is avaricious, so be careful.
Noun meaning 'miser' or 'money-grubber'. A strong, derogatory term for someone obsessed with hoarding money.
He hoards money like a miser.
She is avaricious for knowledge.
A politician avaricious for power.
Literally 'deep desire', meaning insatiable greed. Commonly used in everyday speech.
If you're too avaricious, you'll fail.
Pre-noun adjectival meaning 'insatiable' or 'unending'. Often used in set phrases like 飽くなき追求 (relentless pursuit).
I'm disgusted by his avaricious desire for money.
強欲な商人が貧しい人々から搾取した。
The avaricious merchant exploited the poor.
He is avidly learning new skills.
Direct translations like '貪欲な' can sound overly literary. In casual speech, use '欲張りな' or phrases like '金に汚い' for money-related greed.
彼女は称賛に貪欲だ。
She is avaricious for praise.