How to say "greed" in Japanese

Choosing the right word

欲よくCommon
noun, noun (suffix)Greed as an abstract craving or drive — the wanting itself rather than a greedy person; the same word also covers desire and appetite broadly, so context determines the greedy reading.
彼かれは欲よくの少すくない人ひとだ。↗
He is a man of few wants.
欲張りよくばりJLPT N2approx.Common
noun, na-adjectiveGreediness as an observable trait: coveting what others have and wanting more than one's share; the word can also denote a greedy person outright.
持もてば持もつほど、欲張よくばりになる。↗
The more you have, the more you want.

Choose 欲 for greed as an abstract craving or drive, a word whose range also takes in desire and appetite, and 「欲張り」 for greediness as a trait or for a greedy person who wants more than their share.

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

Japanese equivalents

欲よくgreed
欲張りよくばりgreed
欲心よくしんgreed
貪汚たんおgreed
利欲りよくgreed
貪婪どんらんavarice
胴欲どうよくavarice
乞食根性こじきこんじょうmercenary spirit
私利私欲しりしよくself-interest
意地いじappetite
スケベ根性すけべこんじょうgreed
助兵衛根性すけべえこんじょうgreed

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