Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Envy" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "envy", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
妬む
ねたむ (netamu)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
羨望
せんぼう (senbō)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "envy" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 妬む and 羨望.
In Japanese, 妬む (ねたむ (netamu)) is typically associated with "envy; be jealous of; begrudge" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to envying someone, being jealous of their success, popularity, or happiness, and harboring resentful feelings.
On the other hand, 羨望 (せんぼう (senbō)) maps to "envy; admiration; coveting; look up with envy" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to looking up to someone with envy, admiration, or coveting their superior status, looks, or luck. A literal translation of "envy" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "妬む"
同僚の華々しい成功を心から祝福できず、影で_______てしまうのは人間の弱さです。
Not being able to sincerely congratulate a colleague's spectacular success and envying them in the shadow is human weakness.
Bilingual Context for "羨望"
彼は若くして大成功を収め、業界の若手たちから_______の的となりました。
Having achieved great success at a young age, he became the target of envy for the young minds in the industry.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "同僚の華々しい成功を心から祝福できず、影で_______てしまうのは人間の弱さです。" (Meaning: "Not being able to sincerely congratulate a colleague's spectacular success and envying them in the shadow is human weakness.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "妬む" fits here because it means "envy; be jealous of; begrudge" in the context of: "Not being able to sincerely congratulate a colleague's spectacular success and envying them in the shadow is human weakness.". "羨望" represents "envy; admiration; coveting; look up with envy".