Spanish word

envidia

Pronunciation

IPA/emˈbiðja/

Meaning

  • feminine nounenvy

Example

Tengo envidia de tu éxito.

I'm envious of your success.

Illustration for envidia (envy)

More examples

¿Te causa envidia su promoción?

Does his promotion make you envious?

Core concept

A mix of admiration and bitter desire for another's advantages.

Common phrases

  • sentir envidia por

    feel envy for

  • dar envidia a

    inspire envy in

  • mostrar envidia

    show envy

Similar words

celos: Feels anxious and threatened at the thought of a partner or close person showing interest in others.
deseo: Feels a strong urge to obtain or experience a particular thing.
admiración: Feels sincere respect and appreciation for someone's admirable qualities or achievements.
resentimiento: Harbors lasting bitterness or ill will after being wronged or treated unfairly.

Definition in Spanish

Deseo de poseer lo que otra persona tiene; emoción que puede ir desde la admiración hasta el resentimiento.

Word origin

It derives from Latin invidia (in- 'against' + vidēre 'to see'), reflecting the idea of looking at others with resentment.

Usage tips

  • Do not use envidia or envidioso for romantic jealousy; Spanish uses celos and celoso for possessive jealousy.

Other meanings

  • jealousynoun

Opposites

Related words

  • envidiarenvyverb
  • envidiosoenviousadjective

Word lists with this word