French Conversation · Level 75
60 words
French word
envier
Pronunciation
IPA/ɑ̃vje/
Meaning
- verbenvy
Example
Il ne faut pas envier ce que les autres ont.
You shouldn't envy what other people have.
More examples
Il m'arrive d'envier la chance de mon collègue.
I sometimes envy my colleague's good fortune.
Core concept
Another person's advantage appears within reach, creating a wish to have the same thing.
Common phrases
envier quelque chose à quelqu'un
envy someone something
envier sa réussite
envy someone's success
Similar words
vouloir: Indicate a wish to have something or to do something.
désirer: Want something intensely.
jalouser: Feel jealousy toward someone or a desire to possess them exclusively.
Definition in French
Ressentir du désir pour ce que possède autrui, sans forcément vouloir nuire.
Word origin
Through Old French, envier goes back to Latin invidere and is related to envie, with the older form developing into the sense of wanting another person's advantage.
Usage tips
- The usual pattern is envier quelque chose à quelqu'un: the desired thing is the direct object, and its owner follows à.