Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing jealousy depends on the type: romantic jealousy, envy of someone's possessions or success, or even positive admiration. The most common word is 嫉妬 (しっと), but it is strong and often negative. For lighter envy, 羨ましい (うらやましい) is used, though it can also imply jealousy. Context and phrasing matter greatly.
To express feeling jealous of a romantic partner's interactions with others, or suspecting infidelity.
The standard verb for romantic jealousy. It is a strong emotion and can sound serious or dramatic. Often used with に to mark the person you are jealous of.
She is jealous of his ex-girlfriend.
A more colloquial and slightly lighter expression for romantic jealousy. Literally 'to bake grilled rice cakes', it implies a cute or petty jealousy rather than deep suspicion.
I get jealous right away when he talks to other girls.
Noun form of the above. Often used in phrases like やきもちを焼く (to be jealous) or やきもち焼き (a jealous person).
That girl is the jealous type, so be careful.
An adjective meaning 'deeply jealous' or 'prone to jealousy'. Used to describe a person's character.
I don't want to date a jealous lover.
To express that you wish you had what someone else has, or that you feel envious of their circumstances.
The most common word for 'envious' or 'jealous' in a non-romantic sense. It can be used positively ('I'm so jealous, that's great!') or negatively. The target of envy is marked with が.
I'm jealous of his new car.
That's so nice, I'm jealous!
The verb form of 羨ましい. Slightly more formal or literary. Often used with を to mark the thing envied.
I envy his success.
A stronger, more negative word for envy, bordering on resentment. Less common in daily speech.
I can't help but feel bitterly jealous of my colleague's promotion.
To express that you are jealous in a friendly, admiring way, often as a compliment.
A very common casual expression meaning 'That's nice!' or 'I'm so jealous!' It conveys light envy without negativity. Often followed by 羨ましい.
Oh, you got that? I'm so jealous!
Literally 'unfair', but often used playfully to mean 'I'm jealous' or 'No fair!' among friends.
It's not fair that only you get a day off. (I'm jealous!)
To describe someone who is habitually jealous.
Describes a person who is deeply jealous by nature, especially in romantic contexts.
Jealous people are exhausting.
A more colloquial term for a person who gets jealous easily, often in a cute or petty way.
My boyfriend is the jealous type and it's a problem.
嫉妬 (しっと) is jealousy, often with a negative or possessive nuance, especially in love. 羨望 (せんぼう) is envy or admiration, more neutral and often aspirational. 羨ましい (うらやましい) is the common adjective for envy, while 嫉妬 is a noun/verb for jealousy.
I feel admiration/envy for his talent.
Using 嫉妬する when you just mean 'I'm jealous of your new phone' can sound overly dramatic or creepy. Use 羨ましい or いいなあ instead.