羡慕

• Pinyin: xiàn mù
• Hanzi breakdown: 羡 = 羊 + 次 (sheep — desire to possess); 慕 = 莫 + 心 (heart longing in shadow)

Meaning

To envy; to admire; to feel a longing desire for what someone else has or is.

Ranges from genuine admiration to mild covetousness. Unlike 嫉妒 (jealousy with resentment), 羡慕 is generally benign and can be openly and warmly expressed.

Examples

1. 我非常羡慕他能够流利地使用五种语言与人交流。 I really envy that he can communicate fluently in five languages.
2. 她羡慕地凝视着同学刚买的最新款笔记本电脑。 She stared enviously at the brand-new laptop her classmate had just bought.
3. 很多人都羡慕那种可以一边周游世界一边工作的自由生活方式。 Many people envy a lifestyle where you can travel the world and work at the same time.

Usage Guide

Context: emotions, social, everyday

Tone: positive/wistful

Do Say

• 真羡慕你有这么难得的学习机会，好好珍惜！(I really admire you for having such a rare learning opportunity — cherish it!)
• 他羡慕地望着那栋大别墅，心里默默许下了一个心愿。(He gazed enviously at the large villa and quietly made a wish in his heart.)

Don't Say

• 我既嫉妒又羡慕你 — 羡慕 and 嫉妒 overlap; pick one: 羡慕 for warm admiration, 嫉妒 when resentment is implied

Origin & History

羡 (admire/covet) + 慕 (yearn for/long after) — to look upon with longing

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal