Translation guide
Describes someone who wants more than they need, especially money, food, or possessions. Japanese has many colorful terms depending on what they are greedy for and how it manifests.
A person who is excessively attached to money or material things, often stingy.
The most common and versatile word for a greedy person. Can be used for money, food, or wanting too much in general.
彼は欲張りだから、何でも独り占めしたがる。
He's greedy, so he wants to keep everything for himself.
A more intense, negative term implying avarice or rapacity. Often used in serious contexts.
その強欲な人は、利益のためなら手段を選ばない。
That greedy person will stop at nothing for profit.
A miser; someone obsessed with hoarding money. Literally 'money-guarding slave'. Strongly derogatory.
彼は守銭奴のように金をため込んでいる。
He hoards money like a miser.
A person who eats too much or is selfish with food.
A person who loves to eat, often used affectionately or for children. Not as harsh as 'glutton'.
うちの子は食いしん坊で、いつも何か食べている。
My kid is a little foodie, always eating something.
Describes someone who eats greedily, with bad manners. Focuses on the manner of eating.
がつがつしている人は、周りの人を不快にさせる。
People who eat greedily make others uncomfortable.
A person who always wants more than their share, not limited to material things.
Literally 'a person with deep desires'. Implies insatiable greed for various things.
欲の深い人は、どんなに成功しても満足しない。
A greedy person is never satisfied, no matter how successful they are.
Can be used as a noun to describe a greedy person, though it's more abstract. Often in compounds.
彼は強欲の塊だ。
He is the epitome of greed.
Directly translating 'greedy person' as 貪欲な人 (どんよくなひと) is grammatically correct but sounds stiff and unnatural in conversation. Use 欲張り or 食いしん坊 depending on context.
欲張り is everyday 'greedy' and can be light-hearted. 強欲 implies a serious moral flaw, like avarice. Use 欲張り for most situations.
A big eater; someone who consumes large quantities. More neutral than 'glutton'.
彼は大食漢で、ラーメンを三杯も食べた。
He's a big eater; he ate three bowls of ramen.