Translation and Meaning of: 羨ましい - urayamashii

If you've ever felt that twinge of envy when seeing someone with something you desire, then you're familiar with the feeling behind the word 羨ましい (うらやましい). In Japanese, this term carries nuances that go beyond the simple translation of "envious" or "envy-worthy." In this article, we will explore its etymology, everyday usage, and even tips for memorizing the kanji — which, by the way, has an interesting pictogram. If you use Suki Nihongo to study, you can take advantage of the example sentences here to include in your Anki and boost your memorization.

Besides the meaning, many seek to understand how this word is used in real contexts, from casual conversations to Japanese dramas. Does it always have a negative connotation? Or can it be used lightly, almost like a compliment? Let's uncover these details and also discover why 羨ましい is so popular in searches related to feelings and emotional expressions in Japan.

The Origin and Structure of Kanji 羨ましい

The kanji 羨 (sen) is composed of two radicals: 羊 (sheep) and 欠 (to lack, to desire). Together, they paint the image of "desiring something as a sheep desires pasture" — an ancient metaphor for envy. It is no wonder that this character also appears in words like 羨望 (senbou), which means "envy" in a more literary tone. Curiously, the lower part 欠 refers to the idea of "lack," reinforcing the feeling that something is absent in the life of someone who feels うらやましい.

The suffix ましい (mashii) is common in adjectives that express feelings, such as 苦しい (kurushii, "painful"). This combination turns desire into a tangible emotion. One detail that few notice: the kanji 羨 is the same used in the verb 羨む (urayamu, "to envy"), but the adjectival form has a more colloquial sound — perfect for everyday dialogues.

How the Japanese Use 羨ましい in Everyday Life

Unlike Portuguese, where "envy" almost always has a negative connotation, the Japanese use 羨ましい lightly in many situations. For example, if a colleague gets a new video game, it's common to hear: "うらやましい！本当にいいね！" ("I'm envious! How cool!"). Here, the word serves almost as a compliment, without malice. Even on social media, it's common to see comments like this under photos of trips or fancy dinners.

But pay attention: the tone makes all the difference. Saying 羨ましい with a smile is acceptable; when said with gritted teeth, it turns into sarcasm. In animes, by the way, this double meaning is explored to the fullest — characters often shout "うらやましすぎる！" ("Too envious!") when the protagonist gains special powers. A cultural tip? When in doubt, add a ちょっと (chotto, "a little") to soften it: "ちょっとうらやましいな" ("I'm a little envious").

Tips to Memorize and Not Get Confused

Anyone studying Japanese knows that 羨ましい can be confused with 恨めしい (urameshi, "resentful") because of the prefix うら (ura). To avoid mistakes, remember the "sheep" in the kanji 羨 — it is the key. One technique that works is to associate the image of a sheep looking with bright eyes at something it wants (like a "shiny eyes" meme). Another trick is to memorize the phrase: "The sheep 羊 wishes for 欠 what it doesn't have."

And if you want to practice real usage, try creating sentences about things that would genuinely make you jealous. For example: "彼の新しい車は本当に羨ましい" ("His new car is really enviable"). Repeating it out loud helps to fix both pronunciation and context. Oh, and don't worry if you make mistakes at first — even natives sometimes write the kanji 羨 incorrectly, swapping 羊 for 美 (beauty).

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

羨望 (せんぼう) - Intense desire to have something that belongs to someone else.
うらやましい (うらやましい) - To feel envious of something that someone else has.
うらやむ (うらやむ) - To wish for what someone else has, to be envious.
うらやましさ (うらやましさ) - The quality of being enviable, the condition of provoking envy
うらやましげ (うらやましげ) - To seem envious, to have an expression of envy
うらやましく思う (うらやましくおもう) - Feeling envy or admiration for something that another person has.
うらやましがる (うらやましがる) - Express or show envy evaluations about something someone has.
うらやましげに見る (うらやましげにみる) - Look with envy
うらやましげな目で見る (うらやましげなめでみる) - To observe with envious eyes
うらやましげな態度をとる (うらやましげなたいどをとる) - Adopt a posture that expresses envy