Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Greedy" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "greedy", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
強欲
ごうよく (gōyoku)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
東食西宿
とうしょくせいしゅく (toushokuseishuku)
C2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "greedy" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 強欲 and 東食西宿.
In Japanese, 強欲 (ごうよく (gōyoku)) is typically associated with "greedy; avaricious; covetous; insatiable desire" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to being extremely greedy, avaricious, covetous, or having an insatiable desire for money, status, or love. Often used as 強欲な.
On the other hand, 東食西宿 (とうしょくせいしゅく (toushokuseishuku)) maps to "a greedy, grasping person" (Syllabus Level: C2) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C2 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "greedy" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "強欲"
金銭に対する_______な追求のせいで、彼は長年の信頼関係をすべて失ってしまいました。
Due to his greedy pursuit of money, he lost all of his long-standing relationships of trust.
Bilingual Context for "東食西宿"
私は東食西宿に興味があります。
I am interested in a greedy, grasping person.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "金銭に対する_______な追求のせいで、彼は長年の信頼関係をすべて失ってしまいました。" (Meaning: "Due to his greedy pursuit of money, he lost all of his long-standing relationships of trust.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "強欲" fits here because it means "greedy; avaricious; covetous; insatiable desire" in the context of: "Due to his greedy pursuit of money, he lost all of his long-standing relationships of trust.". "東食西宿" represents "a greedy, grasping person".