羨ましい

• Reading: うらやましい
• Romaji: urayamashii
• Kanji breakdown: 羨 (sen/urayama) — envy, jealousy
• Pronunciation: /ɯ.ɾa.ja.ma.ɕiː/

Meaning

Envious; jealous; enviable. Expresses longing for what someone else has or experiences.

An i-adjective that describes the feeling of envy. Unlike English 'jealous,' which can imply resentment, 羨ましい is often used positively as a compliment (いいなあ、羨ましい, how nice, I'm envious). Commonly heard when someone shares good news about a holiday, meal, or opportunity.

Examples

1. 来週ハワイに行くの？羨ましいなあ。 You're going to Hawaii next week? I'm so jealous!
2. 彼は毎日好きなことができて羨ましい。 He gets to do what he loves every day — I'm envious.
3. 羨ましいと思ったら自分も挑戦すればいい。 If you feel envious, you should just go for it yourself.

Usage Guide

Context: conversation, reactions, social media

Tone: wistful

Origin & History

Derived from the verb 羨む (urayamu, to envy). The kanji 羨 combines 羊 (sheep, symbolising goodness) with 欠 (lack/yawn), suggesting longing for something desirable that one lacks.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal