Translation guide
The feeling of wanting something that someone else has, or the act of feeling this way. Japanese distinguishes between positive, admiring envy and negative, resentful envy.
Expressing that you admire someone's quality, possession, or situation and wish you had it too, without ill will.
An i-adjective meaning 'enviable' or 'I'm jealous (in a good way)'. Used to express admiration and a wish that you had the same thing. Very common in daily conversation.
I'm so envious of your new car!
A slightly more formal phrase meaning 'to feel envious'. Often used in writing or polite speech.
I feel envious of her success.
Literary phrase meaning 'a look of envy/admiration'. Used in descriptive writing.
Expressing a stronger, often bitter feeling of wanting what someone else has, sometimes with resentment.
Referring to envy as an abstract concept, often in moral, religious, or literary contexts.
Directly stating that you envy someone or something.
The most natural way to say 'I envy ~'. Use the thing envied as the subject with が.
羨ましい (urayamashii) is the safest and most common word for 'envy' and is usually positive or neutral. 妬ましい (netamashii) implies resentment and is much stronger. 嫉妬 (shitto) is a noun often used for jealousy in relationships or intense envy. Use 羨ましい unless you specifically want to express bitterness.
I'm so jealous! Lucky you.
I envy his talent.
He gazed at the painting with a look of envy.
An i-adjective meaning 'enviable' but with a nuance of resentment or jealousy. Stronger and more negative than 羨ましい.
I can't help but feel bitterly envious of his promotion.
A noun meaning 'jealousy' or 'envy', often with a strong negative connotation. Can be used for romantic jealousy as well as envy of possessions/success.
She felt envy/jealousy toward her friend's happiness.
Literally 'jealousy heart/mind', meaning a feeling of jealousy or envy. Often used in psychological or descriptive contexts.
Driven by envy, he told a lie.
A verb meaning 'to envy' with a strong sense of resentment or begrudging. Less common in daily speech.
There's no point in envying others' success.
A noun meaning 'envy' or 'admiration', often used in formal or literary contexts. Can be neutral or positive.
Envy sometimes helps people grow.
Also used for the abstract concept of envy/jealousy, especially in negative or sinful contexts.
Envy is one of the seven deadly sins.
I envy his free lifestyle.
A more formal pattern meaning 'to feel envious of ~'. The object of envy is marked with を.
I feel envious of his success.
A verb pattern meaning 'to envy/resent ~'. Strong negative nuance.
He resents his colleague's promotion.
I resent his talent.
I'm going crazy with jealousy.
Using 嫉妬 (shitto) when you just mean 'I'm a little envious' can sound overly dramatic or negative. Stick to 羨ましい for casual, positive envy.