Translation guide
Expresses excessive desire for more than one needs, often with negative connotations. Japanese has several common words and phrases to describe greedy behavior, ranging from mild to strong, and covering contexts like food, money, and power.
To describe a person who always wants more than they have or need, often in a negative sense.
A common noun/adjective meaning 'greedy person' or 'being greedy'. It implies wanting more than one's share, often used in everyday conversation.
彼は欲張りだから、いつも一番大きいケーキを取る。
He's greedy, so he always takes the biggest piece of cake.
欲張りすぎると、結局何も手に入らないよ。
If you're too greedy, you'll end up with nothing.
Literally 'deep desire', a set phrase meaning 'greedy' or 'avaricious'. Slightly more formal than 欲張り, often used to describe someone's character.
あの政治家は欲が深いから、賄賂を受け取ったんだ。
That politician is greedy, so he took bribes.
A stronger, more negative word for 'greed' or 'avarice', often used in formal or critical contexts, like describing corporate greed.
強欲な企業は環境を破壊している。
Greedy corporations are destroying the environment.
Literary/formal term for 'greed' or 'avarice', often used in historical or dramatic contexts. Can also mean 'insatiable' in a neutral sense (e.g., thirst for knowledge).
彼は知識に対して貪欲だ。
He has an insatiable appetite for knowledge.
To describe someone who eats too much or is overly focused on food.
A colloquial and slightly cute term for a person who loves to eat a lot; a 'glutton' or 'foodie'. Often used lightheartedly.
うちの犬は食いしん坊で、いつも何か食べたがっている。
Our dog is a glutton and always wants to eat something.
Refers to eating a large amount; a 'big eater'. Can be used as a noun or verb (大食いする). Often seen in competitive eating contexts.
To describe someone excessively focused on acquiring wealth or possessions.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'money-grubbing' or 'greedy for money'. Literally 'dirty with money', it's a common, slightly informal expression.
彼は金に汚いから、友達からもお金を取る。
He's so money-grubbing that he even takes money from his friends.
A formal term for 'mammonism' or 'money worship', describing an ideology that prioritizes wealth above all else.
彼の拝金主義的な考え方には賛成できない。
I can't agree with his money-worshipping way of thinking.
To describe the act of taking more than one's share in a particular instance.
The verb form of 欲張り, meaning 'to be greedy' or 'to hog'. Used when someone tries to take too much for themselves.
一人で全部欲張らないで、みんなにも分けてあげて。
Don't be greedy and take it all for yourself; share some with everyone.
Means 'to monopolize' or 'keep all to oneself'. It focuses on the action of not sharing, often used for objects or attention.
彼はおもちゃを独り占めして、妹に貸さなかった。
He hogged the toys and wouldn't lend them to his little sister.
欲張り (yokubari) is the most common, everyday word for a greedy person or act. 強欲 (gōyoku) is stronger and more negative, often used for serious greed like corporate avarice. 貪欲 (don'yoku) is literary and can sometimes be neutral (e.g., 'greedy for knowledge'). Use 欲張り in most casual contexts.
Directly translating 'be greedy' as 貪欲である or 強欲である can sound overly formal or literary. In everyday speech, use 欲張りだ or 欲張る for natural expression.
She's a big eater, so she gets her money's worth at buffets.