嫉妬心

• Reading: しっとしん
• Romaji: shittoshin
• Kanji breakdown: 嫉 (shitsu) — to envy; 妬 (to) — to be jealous; 心 (shin) — heart, spirit
• Pronunciation: /ɕit.to.ɕiɴ/

Meaning

Jealous feelings; feeling of envy. The inner emotional experience of jealousy.

A compound noun adding 心 (heart/spirit) to 嫉妬 (jealousy), emphasizing the internalized emotional state rather than the outward expression. While 嫉妬 can describe both the act and feeling of being jealous, 嫉妬心 specifically refers to the emotion within. Often used with を抱く (to harbor) or が芽生える (to sprout).

Examples

1. 同僚の昇進に対して嫉妬心を抱いてしまった。 I couldn't help harboring feelings of jealousy toward my colleague's promotion.
2. 嫉妬心をうまくコントロールすることが、人間関係の鍵だ。 Learning to keep your jealousy in check is key to healthy relationships.
3. 彼女の才能に触れるたびに、嫉妬心が芽生える。 Every time I see her talent, a pang of jealousy stirs inside me.

Usage Guide

Context: psychology, self-reflection, interpersonal

Tone: negative

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 嫉妬 (shitto, jealousy) + 心 (shin, heart/spirit). Literally 'heart of jealousy' — the jealous feeling dwelling within one's heart.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal