Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Envious" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "envious", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
羨ましい
うらやましい (urayamashii)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
うらやましい
うらやましい (urayamashii)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "envious" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 羨ましい and うらやましい.
In Japanese, 羨ましい (うらやましい (urayamashii)) is typically associated with "envious; jealous; admirable" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents An i-adjective expressing envy or admiration for someone else's good fortune, possessions, or abilities. It can carry both positive.
On the other hand, うらやましい (うらやましい (urayamashii)) maps to "envious, jealous" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents An adjective expressing the feeling of wishing one had something. A literal translation of "envious" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "羨ましい"
友達が海外旅行に行くなんて、本当に羨ましいです。
My friend is going on an overseas trip; I'm really envious!
Bilingual Context for "うらやましい"
彼女は才能があって美人で、本当にうらやましい。
She's talented and beautiful; I'm really envious of her.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "友達が海外旅行に行くなんて、本当に ＿＿＿ です。" (Meaning: "My friend is going on an overseas trip; I'm really envious!")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "羨ましい" fits here because it means "envious; jealous; admirable" in the context of: "My friend is going on an overseas trip; I'm really envious!". "うらやましい" represents "envious, jealous".