Meaning and Usage
羨ましい (うらやましい) expresses the feeling of envy or admiration toward someone else's good fortune, possessions, or qualities. It is commonly used in everyday conversation to show a desire for what others have.
Common Contexts
You will often hear 羨ましい when talking about material things like cars or houses, experiences like travel, or personal traits such as talent or skills.
Collocations and Patterns
- 羨ましいと思う: to feel envious
- 羨ましい限り: extremely enviable
- 羨ましいなあ: casual expression of envy
Register and Nuance
This adjective is neutral and polite enough for casual and semi-formal situations. It conveys a positive kind of envy without negative feelings.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 羨ましい with 嫉妬する (to be jealous), but 羨ましい is more about admiring or wishing for something, not resenting others.