Japanese word

贅沢

Pronunciation

Romajizeitaku

Meaning

  • nounluxury

Example

今日は少し贅沢をします。kyō wa suko shi zei taku o shi ma su

I will enjoy a little luxury today.

Illustration for 贅沢 (luxury)

More examples

休日に昼まで眠るのは、私にとって最高の贅沢です。kyū jitsu ni hiru ma de nemu ru no wa watashi ni to tte sai kō no zei taku de su

Sleeping until noon on a day off is the greatest luxury for me.

Core concept

Refers to spending or choosing freely for greater comfort and pleasure rather than mere necessity.

Common phrases

  • 贅沢をするzei taku o su ru

    indulge

Similar words

豪華gōka: A rich and impressive quality created by expensive or abundant features.
浪費rōhi: Spending or using resources without enough practical need or purpose.

Definition in Japanese

日常に必要な範囲を超えて、費用や手間を惜しまず豊かさを味わうこと。nichi jō ni hitsu yō na han i o ko e te hi yō ya te ma o o shi ma zu yuta ka sa o aji wa u ko to

Word origin

The word 贅沢 (zeitaku) joins 贅 (zei, "what is excessive") with 沢 (taku, "richness"), forming the idea of enjoying more than basic needs require.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 贅沢 (zeitaku) can describe a small extra comfort, such as a better meal or a free afternoon, not only a costly lifestyle.

Other meanings

  • extravagancenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 贅沢さzeitakusaluxuriousnessnoun

Word lists with this word