Translation guide
Expressing envy in Japanese depends on whether you are simply admiring something, feeling jealous of a person, or expressing resentment. The most common and natural way is to use 羨ましい (urayamashii) for positive or light envy, while 妬ましい (netamashii) and related words carry stronger, negative jealousy. Often, Japanese speakers soften envy by phrasing it as admiration or using indirect expressions.
Expressing that you wish you had something someone else has, without negative feelings. Often used as a compliment.
The most common and natural way to say 'I'm envious' in a positive or light sense. It can be used for things, situations, or abilities. Often said directly to the person as a compliment.
いいなあ、羨ましい！
That's so nice, I'm envious!
彼の新しい車が羨ましい。
I'm envious of his new car.
A more formal and emphatic way to express envy, often used in polite conversation or writing. Literally 'it is nothing but enviable'.
ご成功、羨ましい限りです。
I am truly envious of your success.
An emphatic expression meaning 'I'm so envious I can't stand it'. Used in casual conversation.
彼女の才能が羨ましくてたまらない。
I'm so envious of her talent I can't stand it.
Expressing bitter envy or jealousy, often with a sense of resentment or ill will. Use with caution as it can sound very negative.
Means 'jealous' or 'envious' with a strong negative connotation. It implies resentment and is less commonly used than 羨ましい. Often used when someone has something you feel you deserve.
彼の成功が妬ましい。
I'm bitterly envious of his success.
A verb meaning 'to be jealous' or 'to envy', often used for romantic jealousy or intense envy. It can be used in both positive and negative contexts but often carries a stronger emotional weight.
彼は友達の成功に嫉妬している。
He is jealous of his friend's success.
A literary or formal verb meaning 'to envy' or 'to be jealous of'. It is less common in everyday speech and often appears in written language.
他人の幸福を嫉んではならない。
You must not envy the happiness of others.
Expressing envy indirectly to avoid sounding too direct or negative. Common in polite conversation.
A very common and casual way to express light envy or admiration. It literally means 'how nice' and implies envy without directly stating it. Often used with a sighing tone.
いいなあ、私も行きたい。
I'm so envious, I want to go too.
Literally means 'unfair' or 'sly', but is often used playfully to express envy, like 'no fair!' or 'you're so lucky'. Common among friends.
えー、ずるい！一人だけ休みなんて。
Hey, no fair! You're the only one who gets a day off.
A softer way to express envy by framing it as a thought. It can be used to admit envy without sounding too direct.
彼の新しい家を見て、うらやましいなあと思った。
When I saw his new house, I thought 'I'm so envious'.
Saying '私はあなたを羨ましい' (Watashi wa anata o urayamashii) is grammatically incorrect and unnatural. Instead, use '羨ましい' alone or with the thing you envy as the subject (e.g., 'あなたの車が羨ましい').
あなたの車が羨ましい。
I'm envious of your car.
羨ましい (urayamashii) is used for positive or light envy, often as a compliment. 妬ましい (netamashii) implies resentment and is much stronger and negative. Use 羨ましい unless you want to express bitterness.