expression, i-adjective
the grass is always greener on the other side
Proverb expressing that other people's things or situations always seem better than one's own. Literally 'the neighbor's flowers are red'.
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 on the other side, but my own garden isn't bad either.
A more common proverb with the same meaning, literally 'the neighbor's lawn is green'. 隣の花は赤い is less frequent but carries the same nuance.
A Japanese proverb of uncertain origin, likely a calque or parallel development of the universal 'grass is greener' sentiment, using flowers and the color red as culturally familiar symbols of envy.