Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of 'worldly desires' is most commonly expressed through Buddhist-derived terms referring to earthly attachments and passions that cause suffering. The most natural equivalent depends on context: religious/philosophical, psychological, or everyday speech.
Refers to the Buddhist concept of desires and passions that bind people to the cycle of suffering and rebirth.
The standard Buddhist term for worldly desires, passions, and delusions that cause suffering. Used in religious and philosophical contexts.
煩悩を断つことは難しい。
It is difficult to eliminate worldly desires.
彼は煩悩にまみれた生活を送っている。
He leads a life filled with worldly desires.
A broader term for desire, craving, or greed. Can refer to worldly desires in a general sense, but less specifically Buddhist than 煩悩.
欲に負けてはいけない。
You must not give in to worldly desires.
Specifically the 'five desires' arising from the five senses in Buddhist teaching. A more technical term.
五欲を捨てることが悟りへの道だ。
Abandoning the five desires is the path to enlightenment.
Desires for material possessions, status, or physical pleasures in a non-religious sense.
Worldly or secular desires, often implying a contrast with spiritual purity. Suitable for literary or formal contexts.
彼は俗欲から解放された。
He was freed from worldly desires.
Specifically material desires or greed for possessions. Common in everyday language.
物欲に駆られて買い物をしすぎた。
Driven by worldly desires, I shopped too much.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'secular/worldly desires'. More explicit and less idiomatic than single terms.
世俗的な欲望に惑わされないように。
Don't be led astray by worldly desires.
Intense desires for food, sex, or other physical pleasures, often with a negative connotation.
General term for desire, lust, or craving. Can be used for worldly desires in a broad sense, but context is needed to distinguish from simple wants.
人間は欲望に弱い。
Humans are weak against worldly desires.
Specifically sexual desire or lust. One of the classic 'worldly desires' in Buddhist lists.
煩悩 (bonnō) is specifically Buddhist and implies delusion and suffering. 欲望 (yokubō) is a general term for desire, which can be positive or negative depending on context. Use 煩悩 for religious/philosophical discussions of worldly attachments; use 欲望 for everyday strong desires.
煩悩即菩提
Worldly desires are themselves enlightenment (Buddhist saying).
欲望をコントロールする
to control one's desires
The direct translation '世俗的な欲望' is understandable but often sounds wordy or unnatural. Prefer single terms like 煩悩, 俗欲, or 物欲 depending on the nuance.
世俗的な欲望を捨てる
to abandon worldly desires
色欲に溺れてはいけない。
You must not indulge in worldly desires (of the flesh).