Japanese word

羨む

Pronunciation

Romajiurayamu

Meaning

  • verbenvy

Example

私は友達の才能を羨みます。watashi wa tomo dachi no sai nō o uraya mi ma su

I envy my friend's talent.

Illustration for 羨む (envy)

More examples

人の幸せを羨んではいけません。hito no shiawa se o uraya n de wa i ke ma se n

You must not envy other people's happiness.

Core concept

Describes wanting the advantage or quality that another person has, with attention focused on what is missing from oneself.

Common phrases

  • 他人の才能を羨むta nin no sai nō o uraya mu

    envy someone else's talent

  • 人の立場を羨むhito no tachi ba o uraya mu

    envy someone's position

  • 人の若さを羨むhito no waka sa o uraya mu

    envy someone's youth

Similar words

妬むnetamu: To resent another person's quality or advantage while wishing to have it.
嫉妬するshittosuru: To feel envy toward someone who has a desired quality, advantage, or relationship.
羨望するsenbōsuru: To strongly desire another person's quality or advantage, often in formal language.

Definition in Japanese

他人が持っている才能や境遇などを自分も持ちたいと思う。ta nin ga mo tte i ru sai nō ya kyō gū na do o ji bun mo mo chi ta i to omo u

Word origin

The native verb 羨む (urayamu) is traditionally linked to うら (ura, "heart") and 病む (yamu, "be ill"), suggesting inner distress over another person's advantage, and is written with 羨 (sen, "envy").

Usage tips

  • The English phrase green with envy refers to the same feeling expressed by 羨む (urayamu), so the color metaphor provides a familiar cultural link for English learners.

Other meanings

  • be jealous ofverb

Related words

  • 羨ましいurayamashiienviousi-adjective
  • 羨ましがるurayamashigarube enviousverb
  • 羨ましさurayamashisaenvynoun

Word lists with this word