JLPT · Level 128
15 words
Japanese word
妬む
Pronunciation
Romajinetamu
Meaning
- verbenvy
Example
彼は友達の成功を妬みます。kare wa tomo dachi no sei kō o neta mi ma su
He envies his friend's success.
More examples
他人を妬むのではなく、自分の努力を大切にしましょう。ta nin o neta mu no de wa na ku ji bun no do ryoku o tai setsu ni shi ma shō
Rather than envying others, let's value our own efforts.
Core concept
It focuses on resenting another person's advantage because it highlights what the envious person lacks, not merely admiring that advantage.
Common phrases
人を妬むhito o neta mu
envy someone
人の成功を妬むhito no sei kō o neta mu
envy someone's success
Similar words
羨むurayamu: To feel dissatisfied with what one has because another person has something desirable.
嫉むsonemu: To feel bitter about another person's success or good fortune.
羨望するsenbōsuru: To envy a person's success or qualities in a formal expression.
Definition in Japanese
他人の才能や成功などをうらやみ、それを素直に喜べず、憎らしく思うこと。ta nin no sai nō ya sei kō na do o u ra ya mi so re o su nao ni yoroko be zu niku ra shi ku omo u ko to
Word origin
The native Japanese verb 妬む (netamu, "to envy") derives from the older adjective 妬し (netashi, "envious"), which describes resentment at another person's good fortune.
Usage tips
- English often distinguishes envy, wanting what another person has, from jealousy, fear of losing something one values, so 妬む (netamu) is usually introduced with envy rather than jealousy.
Other meanings
- be jealous of ___verb
- begrudgeverb
Related words
- 妬みnetamienvynoun
- 妬ましいnetamashiienviousi-adjective