How to say "envious" in Japanese

• 羨ましいうらやましいJLPT N2approx.Common
  i-adjectiveThe default choice for the positive or wistful sense of 'envious' — admiring someone's luck, possessions, or abilities without hostility, as in envying a friend's talent or lifestyle.
  あなたがとても羨うらやましい。↗

  I envy you so much.
• 妬ましいねたましい
  i-adjectiveCovers the harsher, more resentful sense of 'envious' or 'jealous', where you begrudge another person what they have. It carries more bite than 羨ましい and is less common in everyday speech.
  この若人わこうどに対たいしてねたましく思おもう気持きもちを、君きみはやむを得えないものと受け入うけいれなければならない。↗

  You need to come to terms with your jealousy of this young man.
• 僻みっぽいひがみっぽい
  i-adjectiveMarginal for 'envious': its main sense is 'cynical' or 'warped', describing someone prone to bitter, envious grumbling. Use it to characterize a resentful personality, not to state simple envy.

Use 「羨ましい」 for ordinary friendly envy of what someone else has, 「妬ましい」 for sharper jealousy or resentment of a person, and 「僻みっぽい」 only to describe a person's envious, warped character.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 羨ましいうらやましいenvious
• 妬ましいねたましいjealous
• 僻みっぽいひがみっぽいcynical
• 裏山うらやまenvious