Japanese word

羨ましい

Pronunciation

Romajiurayamashii

Meaning

  • i-adjectivejealous

Example

隣の家の大きな庭が羨ましいです。tonari no ie no ō ki na niwa ga uraya ma shi i de su

I am jealous of the large garden next door.

Illustration for 羨ましい (jealous)

More examples

海外で働けるなんて、羨ましいです。kai gai de hatara ke ru na n te uraya ma shi i de su

I am jealous that you can work abroad.

Core concept

Expresses the wish to have the advantage, possession, or good fortune that someone else has.

Common phrases

  • 羨ましいと思うuraya ma shi i to omo u

    think it is enviable

  • 羨ましくなるuraya ma shi ku na ru

    become envious

Similar words

妬ましいnetamashii: Expresses envy mixed with resentment toward another person's advantage or good fortune.

Definition in Japanese

他人の優れた点や幸運を見て、自分もそうなりたいと感じるさま。ta nin no sugu re ta ten ya kō un o mi te ji bun mo sō na ri ta i to kan ji ru sa ma

Word origin

羨ましい (urayamashii) is a native Japanese adjective connected with 羨む (urayamu, "to envy"), a verb for wishing that another person's advantage were one's own.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 羨ましい (urayamashii) can describe friendly envy, such as wishing for a neighbor's garden, without implying hostility or romantic jealousy.

Other meanings

  • enviousi-adjective

Related words

  • 羨ましさurayamashisaenvynoun
  • 羨ましがるurayamashigarushow envyverb

Word lists with this word