Translation guide
This proverb expresses the idea that people tend to think others' situations are better than their own. In Japanese, there are several equivalent proverbs and phrases, ranging from direct translations to more culturally specific expressions.
To express the idea that other people's lives or situations seem better than one's own, even if they are not.
A direct translation of the English proverb, widely understood in Japan. Literally 'the neighbor's lawn is green.'
彼はいつも隣の芝生は青いと思っている。
He always thinks the grass is greener on the other side.
A similar Japanese proverb meaning 'the neighbor's flowers are red.' Less common but still used.
隣の花は赤いと言うけど、自分の庭も悪くないよ。
They say the grass is always greener, but your own garden isn't bad either.
A more general phrase meaning 'other people's things look good.' Can be used in various contexts.
他人のものはよく見えるから、つい比べてしまう。
Other people's things always look better, so I end up comparing.
An older, colloquial proverb meaning 'the neighbor's meal is delicious.' Rarely used today.
昔の人は「隣の飯はうまい」と言ったものだ。
People in the old days used to say, 'The neighbor's meal is delicious.'
While '隣の芝生は青い' is a direct translation, Japanese speakers may also use more general expressions like '他人のものはよく見える' to convey the same idea without the specific imagery.