Meaning and Usage
The verb 妬む (ねたむ) means "to be jealous" or "to envy" someone else's success, possessions, or qualities. It often carries a negative emotional nuance, implying resentment or bitterness rather than simple admiration.
Common Contexts
妬む is frequently used when someone feels unhappy or resentful about another person's achievements or advantages. It is more intense than just admiring someone; it suggests a desire to have what the other person has or a feeling of unfairness.
Collocations and Patterns
- 妬む気持ち (ねたむきもち): feelings of jealousy
- 成功を妬む (せいこうをねたむ): to be jealous of success
- 妬むよりも～ (ねたむよりも～): rather than being jealous, ...
Register and Nuance
妬む is a standard verb used in both spoken and written Japanese, often in more serious or emotional contexts. It is not casual slang but is common in everyday conversation when discussing feelings of envy or jealousy.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 妬む with 嫉妬する (しっとする), which also means "to be jealous." 妬む is a verb and often used more emotionally, while 嫉妬する is a noun + verb construction and can sound more formal or clinical. Both are correct but used slightly differently.