Translation guide
The strong desire to possess something that belongs to someone else, often with a negative moral connotation. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through nouns, adjectives, and idiomatic phrases that emphasize envy, greed, or wrongful desire.
Expressing a strong desire for what others have, often with a sense of resentment or moral failing.
A common noun for envy or jealousy, often implying resentment toward someone's success or possessions. It can carry a negative moral tone.
I feel envy toward his success.
Literally 'material desire,' this word refers to a strong craving for possessions, often with a negative connotation of greed or covetousness.
Driven by material desire, I end up buying things I don't need.
A stronger term for greed or avarice, often used in moral or religious contexts to describe an excessive desire for wealth or possessions.
Greed is one of the seven deadly sins.
An idiom meaning 'the grass is always greener on the other side,' capturing the essence of coveting what others have.
He always thinks the grass is greener on the other side.
Referring specifically to the sin of covetousness, as in the Ten Commandments.
A noun meaning greed or covetousness, often used in religious texts to describe the sinful desire for what belongs to others.
The Bible says that covetousness is the same as idolatry.
A direct reference to the Tenth Commandment: 'You shall not covet your neighbor's house.' This is a formal, biblical phrasing.
Expressing covetousness specifically toward another person's romantic partner.
A noun meaning 'illicit love' or 'adulterous desire,' specifically coveting someone else's spouse or lover. It carries a strong negative moral judgment.
He is coveting his friend's wife.
A general phrase meaning 'to desire what belongs to others,' which can apply to partners or possessions. It is a straightforward way to express covetousness.
The English word 'covetousness' is relatively formal and often tied to biblical or moral contexts. In everyday Japanese, it is more natural to use words like 妬み (envy) or 物欲 (material desire) depending on the nuance. Avoid directly translating 'covetousness' as a single word in casual conversation; instead, describe the specific desire or use idiomatic expressions.
妬み (netami) focuses on envy and resentment toward others' possessions or success, while 強欲 (gōyoku) emphasizes greed and avarice as a character trait. Use 妬み when the feeling is directed at a specific person or thing, and 強欲 when describing a general disposition.
The Ten Commandments say, 'You shall not covet your neighbor's house.'
It's not good to covet what belongs to others.