At the A1 level, you are just beginning to learn how to express what you want. You probably know the phrase 'J'ai envie de...' (I want to...). The phrase 'avec envie' is a bit more advanced because it's an adverbial phrase, but you can understand it as a way to say 'looking at something because you want it.' Imagine you are at a bakery. You see a chocolate cake. You look at it. You really want it. In French, we say you look at it 'avec envie'. It's a simple way to add more feeling to your sentences. You don't need to worry about complex grammar here; just remember that it usually comes after the verb 'regarder' (to look). For example: 'Je regarde le gâteau avec envie.' This tells people not just that you are looking, but that you are hungry for it! It's a great 'power phrase' to make your basic French sound more descriptive and natural. Even at this early stage, using 'avec' + a noun is a pattern you will see a lot, so learning 'avec envie' is a great introduction to this rule.
At the A2 level, you are expanding your ability to describe people's reactions and feelings. 'Avec envie' is very useful for this. You can use it to describe how people feel about things they don't have. For instance, if your friend has a new bicycle and you want one too, you might look at their bike 'avec envie'. This phrase is better than just saying 'Je suis jaloux' because 'jaloux' can sound a bit mean or angry. 'Avec envie' is more about the desire for the object itself. You will mostly use this with verbs like 'regarder' (to look), 'observer' (to observe), or 'écouter' (to listen). For example, if someone is telling a story about a great vacation, you might listen 'avec envie'. This shows you are interested and wish you could go too. Remember the structure: Verb + avec envie. It doesn't change based on whether you are a boy or a girl, which makes it very easy to use! It's a fixed phrase that adds a lot of 'flavor' to your descriptions of daily life and social interactions.
At the B1 level, 'avec envie' becomes a key tool for more nuanced communication. You are now expected to describe events and feelings in more detail, and this phrase allows you to do exactly that. It's an adverbial phrase of manner. It answers the question 'How?' (Comment ?). How did he look at the prize? He looked at it 'avec envie'. This level is where you start to distinguish between 'envie' (desire/longing) and 'jalousie' (resentment/fear of loss). Using 'avec envie' shows you understand that desire isn't always negative; it's a natural human response to something attractive. You can also start to modify the phrase: 'avec beaucoup d'envie' or 'avec une certaine envie'. This shows a higher level of control over the language. You'll see this phrase often in intermediate reading materials, like short stories or news articles about lifestyle and society. It's a very 'French' way to describe that specific look of longing that we all recognize. Mastering its placement after the verb will make your spoken and written French flow much better.
At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 'avec envie' in various contexts, including more abstract or formal ones. You can use it to analyze characters in literature or to discuss social trends. For example, you might discuss how advertising creates a culture where people constantly look at luxury goods 'avec envie'. You should also be able to compare it with more intense synonyms like 'avec convoitise' (with covetousness) or 'goulûment' (greedily). At this level, you understand that 'avec envie' can be used ironically or sarcastically. You also know that it belongs to a larger family of adverbial phrases (avec soin, avec sagesse, avec précision) and you can use this pattern to create your own descriptions. Your use of the phrase should feel natural and well-timed in a conversation. You might use it to describe a subtle emotion: 'Il y avait une pointe d'envie dans sa voix lorsqu'il a félicité son collègue.' This level of detail—identifying an emotion within a voice—is a hallmark of B2 proficiency. You are moving beyond simple actions into the realm of psychological subtext.
At the C1 level, you recognize 'avec envie' as a versatile stylistic device. You can use it to create specific atmospheres in your writing. In a formal essay, you might use it to describe the motivations of historical figures or social classes. In creative writing, you might use it to 'show' a character's internal lack without explicitly stating it. You are also aware of the literary alternatives like 'd'un œil envieux' and can choose between them based on the desired register and rhythm of your sentence. You understand the etymological roots of 'envie' (from the Latin 'invidia') and how the French language has softened the word compared to its English cousin 'envy'. This allows you to translate nuanced English concepts more accurately. You might even use the phrase to describe abstract concepts, such as 'regarder le passé avec envie' (to look at the past with longing/nostalgia). Your command of the phrase is absolute, and you can integrate it into complex, multi-clause sentences without losing the thread of your thought.
At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of the semantic field surrounding 'avec envie'. You can discuss the philosophical implications of 'l'envie' in French thought (referencing authors like La Rochefoucauld or Proust) and how the phrase 'avec envie' captures a specific type of human yearning that is central to the French literary tradition. You can use the phrase with perfect precision, knowing exactly when 'avec envie' is better than 'avec désir', 'avec aspiration', or 'avec soif de'. You can play with the phrase in wordplay, poetry, or high-level rhetoric. For a C2 speaker, 'avec envie' is not just a vocabulary item; it's a cultural marker. You understand its weight in different historical periods of the French language and can adapt your usage to match. Whether you are writing a critique of modern consumerism or a sensitive analysis of a 19th-century novel, you use 'avec envie' to pinpoint the exact intersection of observation and desire with effortless sophistication.

avec envie 30초 만에

  • Used to describe doing something while feeling longing or envy for what someone else has.
  • Commonly follows verbs like 'regarder' (look) or 'parler' (speak) to add emotional depth.
  • Implies a visible desire for an object, quality, or situation possessed by another person.
  • A versatile phrase suitable for both casual daily conversation and formal literary descriptions.

The French adverbial phrase avec envie is a sophisticated way to describe an action performed with a sense of longing, desire, or envy. While the English word 'envy' often carries a purely negative or malicious connotation (the desire to see someone else fail), the French word envie is much broader. It stems from the verb envier, but it is also deeply connected to the common expression avoir envie de, which simply means 'to want' or 'to feel like.' Therefore, performing an action avec envie suggests that the subject is looking at something or someone and feeling a strong pull toward possessing that object or experiencing that situation.

Core Meaning
To do something with a visible or palpable sense of longing or desire for what another person possesses.

In a social context, you will most often encounter this phrase paired with verbs of perception, such as regarder (to look) or observer (to observe). When someone looks at you avec envie, they aren't necessarily plotting your downfall; they might simply admire your new car, your career success, or even the delicious dessert you are eating. It is a phrase that captures the human experience of comparison and the subsequent spark of desire. It is less about the 'sin' of envy and more about the 'feeling' of wanting.

L'enfant regardait le ballon rouge avec envie dans la vitrine du magasin.

This phrase is particularly useful at the B1 level because it allows learners to move beyond simple adjectives like jaloux (jealous) and describe the manner in which an action is performed. It adds a layer of psychological depth to storytelling. Whether you are describing a character in a novel or explaining a situation to a friend, avec envie provides a bridge between simple observation and emotional state. It implies a narrative: there is a subject, an object of desire, and a visible manifestation of that desire.

Nuance vs. Jalousie
'Jalousie' often implies a fear of losing something or a resentment toward the possessor, whereas 'envie' focuses on the desire for the object itself.

Furthermore, the word 'envie' in French can also mean 'birthmark' in some archaic or regional contexts, though this is rare today. In the context of avec envie, the focus remains strictly on the psychological state. It is a versatile phrase that works in formal literature, journalistic reports, and casual conversation. It is neither too formal nor too slangy, making it a perfect addition to a mid-level learner's vocabulary. By using this phrase, you demonstrate an understanding of French adverbial constructions and the subtle distinction between wanting and begrudging.

Elle écoutait ses récits de voyage avec envie, rêvant de partir elle aussi.

To master this phrase, one must understand that 'envie' is a 'nom abstrait' (abstract noun). When we combine 'avec' + [abstract noun], we create an adverbial phrase of manner. This is a very common pattern in French (e.g., avec courage, avec patience). Learning avec envie helps you internalize this pattern, allowing you to generate hundreds of other descriptions by simply swapping out the noun. It's a fundamental building block of expressive French.

Using avec envie correctly requires placing it after the verb it modifies. In French, adverbial phrases of manner typically follow the verb in simple tenses and follow the past participle in compound tenses. However, because it consists of a preposition and a noun, it has some flexibility in long sentences for stylistic emphasis. Most commonly, it describes how someone looks, speaks, or thinks about something they do not currently have.

Placement Rule
Verb + avec envie + Object (or) Verb + Object + avec envie. Example: 'Il regarde avec envie cette voiture' or 'Il regarde cette voiture avec envie'.

When using it with the verb regarder, it creates a very specific image. It suggests that the person's eyes are fixed on the object and that their desire is visible on their face. It is often used in the context of consumerism, social status, or personal achievements. For instance, a student might look at another's high grade avec envie, or a traveler might look at a first-class cabin avec envie.

Depuis le trottoir, le mendiant observait les clients du restaurant avec envie.

Another common usage is with verbs of communication. One can parler d'une chose avec envie (to speak of something with longing). This indicates that the speaker's tone of voice betrays their desire. They might be describing a friend's promotion or a neighbor's garden. The phrase adds a layer of subtext to the dialogue; the words might be congratulatory, but the manner is envious.

In more literary or formal French, avec envie can be used to describe internal states that manifest outwardly. For example, soupirer avec envie (to sigh with envy). This creates a poetic image of someone whose breath itself carries the weight of their desire. It is a powerful tool for writers who want to 'show, not tell' the emotions of their characters.

Common Verbs
Regarder, observer, contempler, parler, soupirer, songer.

It is also important to note that avec envie can be modified by adverbs of degree. You can say avec beaucoup d'envie (with much envy) or avec une certaine envie (with a certain envy). This allows for even more precision in your descriptions. By quantifying the 'envie', you tell the reader exactly how strong the longing is. This level of detail is what separates a basic speaker from an intermediate one.

Il parlait de la réussite de son frère avec une pointe d'envie mal dissimulée.

Finally, consider the difference between avec envie and avec jalousie. If you use avec envie, the focus is on the desire for the object. If you use avec jalousie, it often implies a more bitter or possessive feeling. Choosing the right one shows you understand the emotional landscape of the French language.

The phrase avec envie is ubiquitous in French culture, appearing in everything from high literature to everyday gossip. If you are watching a French film, pay attention to scenes where a character is looking at something they cannot have—perhaps a luxury item in a shop window or a happy couple in a park. The screenplay might describe their gaze as being avec envie. This is a classic cinematic trope used to establish motivation and character desire.

In Literature
French novelists like Gustave Flaubert or Honoré de Balzac frequently used this phrase to describe the social climbing and material desires of their characters in 19th-century society.

In journalistic writing, particularly in 'presse people' (celebrity news) or lifestyle magazines, you might read about how the public looks at the lives of the rich and famous avec envie. It captures the collective fascination with wealth and glamour. An article might say, 'Le monde entier regarde le tapis rouge de Cannes avec envie,' highlighting the aspirational nature of the event.

Les passants s'arrêtaient devant la vitrine du joaillier, contemplant les diamants avec envie.

In casual conversation, you might hear it when friends are discussing someone's good fortune. For example, if a friend just won a trip to Tahiti, you might say, 'Je regarde tes photos de vacances avec envie !' This isn't a malicious statement; it's a way of saying 'I wish I were there too!' It is a common way to express admiration and a shared desire for a positive experience. It functions as a compliment of sorts.

Daily Life
Commonly used when discussing food, travel, fashion, or career milestones among friends.

You will also find the phrase in psychological or self-help contexts. Discussions about the 'société de consommation' (consumer society) often revolve around how advertisements are designed to make us look at products avec envie. Critics of modern capitalism use this phrase to describe the constant state of wanting that defines the modern human condition. Thus, the phrase can take on a sociopolitical dimension depending on the context.

La publicité nous pousse à regarder la vie des autres avec envie pour nous faire consommer davantage.

Finally, in educational settings, teachers might use it to describe a student's attitude toward a peer's work. 'Il regardait le dessin de son camarade avec envie' could be a way for a teacher to note a student's motivation to improve their own skills. It is a phrase that describes a very human impulse that is present from childhood through adulthood.

The most common mistake English speakers make with avec envie is confusing it with avec jalousie. While they are related, they are not interchangeable. Jalousie (jealousy) typically involves a third party or a fear of loss. You are 'jaloux' of your partner's friend. Envie is more about the object itself. If you say someone looks at your car 'avec jalousie', you're implying they might resent you for having it. If you say 'avec envie', you're simply saying they want a car like that too.

Mistake #1
Using 'avec jalousie' when you mean a simple desire or admiration for an object.

Another frequent error is trying to literalize the English adverb 'enviously' into a single French word. Learners often try to create envieusement. While this word technically exists in some dictionaries, it is extremely rare and sounds very unnatural to a native speaker. The standard, natural way to express this idea is always the phrase avec envie. Stick to the prepositional phrase to sound more like a native.

Incorrect: Il la regardait envieusement.
Correct: Il la regardait avec envie.

A subtle mistake involves the use of the preposition. Some learners might try to say par envie instead of avec envie. While par envie is a valid French phrase, it means 'out of envy' or 'because of envy' (denoting the motive), whereas avec envie describes the manner of the action. For example: 'Il a agi par envie' (He acted out of envy) vs. 'Il regardait le gâteau avec envie' (He looked at the cake with longing).

Furthermore, learners sometimes forget that envie can also mean 'urge' or 'desire' in the phrase avoir envie de. They might mistakenly say avec l'envie (with the envy) when they mean avec envie. In French, when using 'avec' to create an adverbial phrase of manner with an abstract noun, the article is usually omitted (e.g., avec patience, avec soin). Adding 'l'' changes the nuance and often makes the sentence grammatically incorrect in that context.

Mistake #2
Adding an article: 'avec l'envie' is usually wrong when describing a manner of looking or speaking.

Finally, be careful with word order in complex sentences. While avec envie usually follows the verb, putting it too far away from the verb it modifies can lead to ambiguity. For example, 'Il a regardé la maison de son voisin avec envie pendant des années.' This is clear. But 'Il a regardé la maison avec envie de son voisin' would be confusing, as it might sound like he was looking at the 'envie' of the neighbor. Keep the phrase close to the action.

If you want to vary your vocabulary, there are several alternatives to avec envie, each with a slightly different flavor. The most common alternative is avec convoitise. While envie is a general longing, convoitise (covetousness) is much stronger and often implies a greedy or lustful desire to possess something that belongs to someone else. It is a heavier, more intense word.

Avec Convoitise
Stronger, greedier, often used for material wealth or physical desire. 'Il louchait sur son héritage avec convoitise.'

Another option is avec jalousie, as discussed earlier. Use this when the feeling is tinged with resentment or a sense of unfairness. If you feel that someone doesn't deserve what they have, avec jalousie is the more appropriate choice. It carries a more negative emotional weight than the relatively neutral avec envie.

Elle regardait le succès de sa rivale avec jalousie, incapable de se réjouir pour elle.

For a more literary or dramatic tone, you might use d'un œil envieux (with an envious eye). This is a very common idiomatic alternative that specifically focuses on the act of looking. It personifies the eye itself as the source of the envy. It is often used in descriptive writing to add a more visual, metaphorical element to the sentence.

If the 'envie' is specifically about food or something pleasurable, you might use goulûment (greedily/gluttonously) or avec gourmandise. While these don't mean 'envy', they capture the 'desire' aspect of envie in a more specific context. For example, 'Il regardait le gâteau avec gourmandise' suggests he really wants to eat it because it looks delicious, rather than because he envies the person who has it.

Comparisons
  • Avec envie: General longing/desire.
  • Avec convoitise: Intense, greedy desire to possess.
  • Avec jalousie: Resentful desire.
  • D'un air envieux: Describing the overall appearance/vibe.

Finally, if you want to express the opposite, you could use avec indifférence (with indifference) or avec détachement (with detachment). These describe an action performed without any desire or emotional investment. Comparing these to avec envie helps highlight just how much energy and focus the latter phrase implies. To look at something avec envie is to be fully engaged with it through the lens of desire.

How Formal Is It?

재미있는 사실

While the English word 'envy' almost always implies something negative, the French 'envie' shifted over centuries to also mean 'desire' or 'urge' (as in 'avoir envie de'). This makes 'avec envie' softer in French than 'enviously' is in English.

발음 가이드

UK /a.vɛ.k‿ɑ̃.vi/
US /a.vɛ.k‿ɑ̃.vi/
In French, stress is usually on the final syllable of the rhythmic group, so the stress falls on the 'vie' of 'envie'.
라임이 맞는 단어
vie survie ravie servie suivie infamie amie folie
자주 하는 실수
  • Pronouncing the 'n' in 'envie' as a hard English 'n' instead of a nasal vowel.
  • Forgetting the liaison (the 'c' of 'avec' joining the 'e' of 'envie').
  • Stressing the first syllable 'en' instead of the last syllable 'vie'.
  • Pronouncing the final 'e' of 'envie' (it is silent).
  • Making the 'a' of 'avec' too long like in 'father'.

난이도

독해 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts once you know 'envie'.

쓰기 3/5

Requires remembering the 'avec' + noun pattern without an article.

말하기 3/5

Needs correct nasal pronunciation of 'envie'.

듣기 2/5

Clear phrase, but watch for the liaison 'avec-envie'.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

avec envie regarder vouloir jaloux

다음에 배울 것

avec soin avec patience avec courage avec précision avec enthousiasme

고급

convoitise cupidité aspiration émulation ressentiment

알아야 할 문법

Adverbial Phrases of Manner (Avec + Noun)

Il travaille avec soin (carefully), il parle avec sagesse (wisely).

Omission of Article in Adverbial Phrases

On dit 'avec envie', pas 'avec l'envie' (unless the noun is modified).

Placement of Adverbs

In French, adverbs and adverbial phrases usually follow the verb they modify.

Liaison with 'Avec'

The 'c' in 'avec' can link to a following vowel, as in 'avec envie'.

Nasal Vowels

The 'en' in 'envie' is a nasal vowel /ɑ̃/, similar to the 'an' in 'maman'.

수준별 예문

1

Il regarde mon vélo avec envie.

He looks at my bike with envy.

The phrase comes after the verb 'regarde'.

2

Elle regarde le gâteau avec envie.

She looks at the cake with longing.

Simple Subject + Verb + Object + Adverbial Phrase.

3

Le chat regarde le poisson avec envie.

The cat looks at the fish with desire.

Animals can also perform actions 'avec envie' in descriptions.

4

Ils regardent nos jouets avec envie.

They look at our toys with envy.

Plural subject 'Ils' doesn't change 'avec envie'.

5

Je regarde ta glace avec envie.

I am looking at your ice cream with envy.

'Ta' is the possessive adjective for 'glace'.

6

Tu regardes ce livre avec envie ?

Are you looking at this book with envy?

Question form using intonation.

7

Nous regardons le soleil avec envie.

We look at the sun with longing.

Abstract objects can be looked at 'avec envie'.

8

L'enfant regarde les bonbons avec envie.

The child looks at the candies with longing.

Common use with children and sweets.

1

Il observait la nouvelle voiture du voisin avec envie.

He was observing the neighbor's new car with envy.

Imperfect tense 'observait' suggests a continuous action.

2

Elle écoutait ses amies parler de Paris avec envie.

She listened to her friends talk about Paris with longing.

'Avec envie' modifies how she 'écoutait'.

3

Nous avons regardé le menu avec envie.

We looked at the menu with longing.

Passé composé: 'avec envie' follows the past participle.

4

Il a soupiré avec envie devant la vitrine.

He sighed with longing in front of the shop window.

'Soupirer' is a common verb used with this phrase.

5

Elle a toujours regardé ma réussite avec envie.

She has always looked at my success with envy.

'Toujours' is placed between the auxiliary and the participle.

6

Ils parlaient de son voyage avec envie.

They were talking about his trip with envy.

Using 'parler de' + something + 'avec envie'.

7

Je voyais qu'il me regardait avec envie.

I saw that he was looking at me with envy.

Subordinate clause 'qu'il me regardait avec envie'.

8

Elle feuilletait le magazine de mode avec envie.

She was flipping through the fashion magazine with longing.

'Feuilleter' means to flip through pages.

1

Il ne pouvait s'empêcher de regarder son trophée avec envie.

He couldn't help but look at his trophy with envy.

'Ne pouvoir s'empêcher de' is a B1 level structure.

2

Elle contemplait le paysage toscan avec envie, rêvant d'y vivre.

She contemplated the Tuscan landscape with longing, dreaming of living there.

'Contempler' is more formal than 'regarder'.

3

Beaucoup de gens regardent la liberté des oiseaux avec envie.

Many people look at the freedom of birds with longing.

Abstract concept 'la liberté' as the object.

4

Il a évoqué ses souvenirs d'enfance avec une certaine envie.

He mentioned his childhood memories with a certain longing.

Adding 'une certaine' to qualify the amount of envy.

5

Elle a admis avoir regardé la robe de sa sœur avec envie.

She admitted having looked at her sister's dress with envy.

Infinitive past 'avoir regardé'.

6

Le petit garçon suivait le ballon des yeux avec envie.

The little boy followed the ball with his eyes with longing.

'Suivre des yeux' is a common idiomatic expression.

7

Ils ont écouté l'annonce du gagnant avec envie.

They listened to the winner's announcement with envy.

Context of competition and desire.

8

Je sentais qu'elle me jugeait, mais elle me regardait aussi avec envie.

I felt she was judging me, but she was also looking at me with envy.

Contrasting two different emotions.

1

Il dévorait des yeux la collection de livres rares avec envie.

He devoured the collection of rare books with his eyes with envy.

'Dévorer des yeux' is a strong metaphorical expression.

2

La presse internationale observe le modèle social français avec envie.

The international press observes the French social model with envy.

Journalistic/Political context.

3

Elle parlait de son ancienne vie avec une pointe d'envie mal dissimulée.

She spoke of her former life with a poorly hidden hint of envy.

'Une pointe d'envie' is a very common B2 collocation.

4

On pouvait lire dans ses yeux qu'il considérait ce poste avec envie.

One could read in his eyes that he viewed this position with envy.

Using 'considérer' to mean 'to view' or 'to think about'.

5

Bien qu'il soit riche, il regarde la simplicité des autres avec envie.

Although he is rich, he looks at the simplicity of others with longing.

Subjunctive 'soit' after 'bien que'.

6

Elle a décrit la maison de ses rêves avec envie et émotion.

She described her dream house with longing and emotion.

Combining two adverbial phrases with 'et'.

7

Le public a contemplé la performance de l'artiste avec envie.

The audience contemplated the artist's performance with longing.

The 'envie' here is for the talent or experience.

8

Il ne faut pas regarder le bonheur d'autrui avec envie.

One should not look at others' happiness with envy.

Moral imperative using 'il ne faut pas'.

1

Il scrutait les moindres détails de cette réussite fulgurante avec envie.

He scrutinized every detail of this meteoric success with envy.

'Scruter' implies a very deep, analytical look.

2

L'auteur dépeint une bourgeoisie qui regarde les privilèges de l'aristocratie avec envie.

The author depicts a bourgeoisie that looks at the privileges of the aristocracy with envy.

Literary analysis context.

3

Elle a fini par avouer qu'elle avait longtemps observé leur complicité avec envie.

She finally confessed that she had long observed their bond with longing.

Complex tense sequence (Passé composé + Plus-que-parfait).

4

Cette soif de reconnaissance le poussait à regarder ses pairs avec envie.

This thirst for recognition pushed him to look at his peers with envy.

Using 'soif de' (thirst for) as a metaphorical subject.

5

Il y avait dans son regard quelque chose de sombre, un mélange d'admiration et d'envie.

There was something dark in his gaze, a mixture of admiration and envy.

Using 'envie' as a noun, but related to the 'avec envie' concept.

6

On ne peut qu'observer avec envie la vitalité de cette jeune entreprise.

One can only observe with envy the vitality of this young company.

The restrictive 'ne... que' (only).

7

Elle a toujours considéré l'insouciance de la jeunesse avec envie.

She has always viewed the lightheartedness of youth with longing.

Abstract noun 'l'insouciance' as the object.

8

Le poète évoque un monde idéal que l'on ne peut que contempler avec envie.

The poet evokes an ideal world that one can only contemplate with longing.

Relative clause 'que l'on ne peut que...'.

1

La Rochefoucauld analysait déjà comment nous tendons à observer les vertus d'autrui avec envie.

La Rochefoucauld was already analyzing how we tend to observe others' virtues with envy.

Philosophical/Historical context.

2

C'est avec envie, certes, mais aussi avec une profonde mélancolie qu'il regardait passer le train de la modernité.

It was with envy, certainly, but also with a deep melancholy that he watched the train of modernity pass by.

Cleft sentence 'C'est... que' for extreme emphasis.

3

L'esthète ne se contente pas de voir la beauté; il la scrute avec envie, cherchant à en percer le secret.

The aesthete is not content with seeing beauty; he scrutinizes it with longing, seeking to pierce its secret.

Using 'scruter' and 'percer le secret' in a high-register sentence.

4

Le ressentiment naît souvent d'une incapacité à regarder le succès d'autrui sans cette pointe d'envie corrosive.

Resentment often arises from an inability to look at others' success without that hint of corrosive envy.

Adjective 'corrosive' adds a strong negative layer.

5

Il contemplait les fastes de la cour avec envie, conscient de sa propre déchéance.

He contemplated the splendors of the court with envy, aware of his own downfall.

High literary vocabulary: 'fastes', 'déchéance'.

6

Toute sa vie, il aura regardé la sérénité des sages avec envie, sans jamais l'atteindre.

All his life, he will have looked at the serenity of the wise with longing, without ever reaching it.

Future perfect 'aura regardé' used for a biographical summary.

7

La narration proustienne excelle à décrire ces moments où le désir se mue en une observation faite avec envie.

Proustian narrative excels at describing those moments where desire transforms into an observation made with envy.

Academic/Literary criticism style.

8

Nul ne peut nier avoir un jour regardé le génie d'un maître avec envie.

No one can deny having one day looked at a master's genius with envy.

Formal negative 'Nul ne peut'.

자주 쓰는 조합

regarder avec envie
observer avec envie
écouter avec envie
parler avec envie
soupirer avec envie
une pointe d'envie
mélange d'admiration et d'envie
considérer avec envie
suivre avec envie
contempler avec envie

자주 쓰는 구문

regarder avec envie

— To look longingly at something someone else has.

L'enfant regarde les jouets avec envie.

écouter avec envie

— To listen to someone's success or experience with a wish to have the same.

Elle écoutait ses aventures avec envie.

parler de quelque chose avec envie

— To speak about a topic in a way that shows you want it.

Il parle de sa retraite avec envie.

une pointe d'envie

— A small amount or a hint of envy.

On sentait une pointe d'envie dans son discours.

ne pas pouvoir s'empêcher de regarder avec envie

— To be unable to stop oneself from looking enviously.

Je ne peux m'empêcher de regarder ta maison avec envie.

observer le succès avec envie

— To watch someone else's achievements with a desire to replicate them.

Le rival observe son succès avec envie.

avec une envie non dissimulée

— With an envy that is not hidden at all.

Il le fixait avec une envie non dissimulée.

avec une certaine envie

— With a certain degree of envy.

Elle l'a admis avec une certaine envie.

regarder le passé avec envie

— To look back at old times with nostalgia or longing.

Il regarde sa jeunesse avec envie.

mourir d'envie (related idiom)

— To be dying to do something (very strong desire).

Je meurs d'envie de partir en vacances.

자주 혼동되는 단어

avec envie vs avec jalousie

Jalousie is more bitter and implies resentment; envie is more about the desire for the object.

avec envie vs par envie

Par envie means 'out of envy' (the reason), while avec envie means 'with envy' (the manner).

avec envie vs avec l'envie

Adding the article usually changes the meaning or makes it grammatically incorrect in an adverbial sense.

관용어 및 표현

"regarder d'un œil envieux"

— To look at something with an envious eye; very similar to 'avec envie' but more idiomatic.

Il regarde le jardin de son voisin d'un œil envieux.

Neutral/Literary
"faire envie"

— To be tempting or attractive to someone.

Ce gâteau me fait envie.

Neutral
"avoir envie de"

— To want or to feel like doing something.

J'ai envie d'un café.

Neutral
"donner envie"

— To make someone want something.

Tes photos donnent envie de voyager.

Neutral
"mourir d'envie de"

— To be dying to do something.

Elle meurt d'envie de le rencontrer.

Informal/Neutral
"passer l'envie"

— To lose the desire for something, or to be discouraged from doing it.

Cette pluie m'a passé l'envie de sortir.

Neutral
"rester sur son envie"

— To remain unsatisfied; to still want something that was not obtained.

Il n'a pas pu l'acheter et est resté sur son envie.

Neutral
"brûler d'envie"

— To burn with desire/longing.

Il brûle d'envie de lui dire la vérité.

Literary/Formal
"se couper l'envie"

— To ruin one's appetite or desire.

Manger des bonbons m'a coupé l'envie de dîner.

Neutral
"l'envie lui en a pris"

— The urge took him/her; he/she suddenly felt like doing it.

Soudain, l'envie lui en a pris de chanter.

Neutral

혼동하기 쉬운

avec envie vs envie vs jalousie

Both involve wanting what others have.

In French, 'envie' is often positive or neutral desire, while 'jalousie' is more negative and possessive.

Je regarde ton gâteau avec envie (I want some). Je regarde ton succès avec jalousie (I am bitter about it).

avec envie vs envie vs désir

Both mean 'want'.

'Envie' usually implies a comparison with someone else or a specific urge, whereas 'désir' is more general or physical.

Il a envie d'une glace. Il a le désir de réussir.

avec envie vs avec envie vs envieusement

One is a phrase, one is a single word.

'Avec envie' is common and natural; 'envieusement' is rare and sounds archaic or translated.

Use 'avec envie' 99% of the time.

avec envie vs par envie vs d'envie

Both use different prepositions with 'envie'.

'Par envie' is the motivation. 'D'envie' is often used in 'mourir d'envie'.

Il l'a fait par envie. Il meurt d'envie de venir.

avec envie vs convoitise vs envie

Both mean wanting things.

'Convoitise' is much stronger and implies greed or lust for possession.

L'avare regarde l'or avec convoitise.

문장 패턴

A1

S + regarde + O + avec envie.

Il regarde mon livre avec envie.

A2

S + a regardé + O + avec envie.

Elle a regardé ma voiture avec envie.

B1

S + ne peut s'empêcher de + V + avec envie.

Je ne peux m'empêcher de regarder ta maison avec envie.

B2

S + V + O + avec une pointe d'envie.

Il a parlé de son voyage avec une pointe d'envie.

C1

C'est + avec envie + que + S + V + O.

C'est avec envie qu'il observait leur réussite.

C2

S + V + O + avec une envie + [Adjective].

Il contemplait le luxe avec une envie dévorante.

B1

S + observe + comment + S + V + avec envie.

Elle observe comment ils vivent avec envie.

B2

Il y a + [Noun] + et + d'envie + dans + [Noun].

Il y avait un mélange d'admiration et d'envie dans son regard.

어휘 가족

명사

envie (desire/envy)
envieux (envious person)

동사

envier (to envy)
avoir envie (to want)

형용사

envieux (envious)
enviable (enviable)

관련

convoitise
jalousie
désir
souhait
aspiration

사용법

frequency

High in descriptive writing; Medium-High in daily speech.

자주 하는 실수
  • Il regarde avec l'envie. Il regarde avec envie.

    Adverbial phrases of manner with abstract nouns usually omit the article.

  • Je suis envieusement. Je regarde avec envie.

    You cannot 'be' an adverb. You must describe an action, and 'envieusement' is extremely rare.

  • Il a agi avec envie (meaning 'out of envy'). Il a agi par envie.

    'Avec' describes manner; 'Par' describes motive. If envy was the reason for the action, use 'par'.

  • Elle regarde avec jalousie (when she just wants the cake). Elle regarde avec envie.

    'Jalousie' is too strong for simple desire; 'envie' is the correct term for longing for an object.

  • Il regarde envie mon vélo. Il regarde mon vélo avec envie.

    You must include the preposition 'avec' to turn the noun 'envie' into an adverbial phrase.

Drop the Article

Remember that in French, many adverbial phrases with 'avec' don't use an article. It's 'avec envie', not 'avec l'envie'. This applies to 'avec patience', 'avec courage', and 'avec soin' as well.

Vary Your Verbs

Don't just stick to 'regarder'. Using 'observer' (to observe) or 'contempler' (to contemplate) with 'avec envie' makes your French sound more advanced and precise.

Compliment with Envy

In France, telling someone you look at their vacation photos 'avec envie' is actually a nice compliment! it shows you admire their choices.

The Liaison

Try to link the 'c' of 'avec' to the 'e' of 'envie'. It should sound like 'a-vè-kɑ̃-vi'. This smooth connection is a hallmark of good French speaking.

Show, Don't Tell

Instead of writing 'He was jealous', write 'He followed his friend's success avec envie'. It creates a much stronger image for the reader.

Envie vs Jalousie

Use 'avec envie' for wanting an object or experience. Save 'avec jalousie' for when there is a sense of rivalry or bitterness involved.

Noun Family

Since you know 'avec envie', you also know the noun 'envie'. Use this to learn 'avoir envie de' (to want) which is one of the most useful phrases in French.

Context Clues

When you hear 'avec envie', look at what the person is looking at. It's almost always a visual desire being described.

Add a 'Pointe'

To sound very native, use the phrase 'avec une pointe d'envie' (with a hint of envy). It's a very common and elegant collocation.

No 'Envieusement'

Even if your dictionary has 'envieusement', avoid it. It sounds clunky. 'Avec envie' is the natural choice for 100% of situations.

암기하기

기억법

Think of 'Avec' (With) + 'Envie' (Envy). If you have 'envie' of something, you want it. So 'avec envie' is how you look when you want something.

시각적 연상

Imagine someone standing outside a luxury store in Paris, their nose pressed against the glass, looking at a beautiful watch. That person is looking 'avec envie'.

Word Web

Regarder Désir Vouloir Jalousie Longing Want Admire Possess

챌린지

Try to use 'avec envie' in a sentence today to describe how you feel about a friend's lunch or their new outfit.

어원

From the preposition 'avec' (with) and the noun 'envie'. 'Envie' comes from the Old French 'envie', which derives from the Latin 'invidia'. The Latin root 'invidere' literally means 'to look upon with ill will' (in- 'into' + videre 'to see').

원래 의미: Originally, it referred strictly to the malicious feeling of ill will towards another's prosperity.

Romance (Latin-based).

문화적 맥락

While 'avec envie' is generally neutral, using it to describe someone's reaction to something very personal (like a tragedy or a difficult struggle) can sound insensitive or sarcastic.

English speakers often use 'jealous' when they should use 'envious'. In French, 'avec envie' is the safer, more positive choice for simple longing.

La Rochefoucauld's Maximes often discuss 'l'envie'. Balzac's 'La Comédie Humaine' features many characters who look at high society 'avec envie'. Modern French pop songs often use 'envie' to express desire.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

Shopping / Consumerism

  • Regarder la vitrine avec envie.
  • Contempler les prix avec envie.
  • Observer les clients avec envie.
  • Parler du nouveau modèle avec envie.

Social Success

  • Regarder sa promotion avec envie.
  • Écouter ses récits de voyage avec envie.
  • Considérer son style de vie avec envie.
  • Suivre sa carrière avec envie.

Food and Dining

  • Regarder l'assiette du voisin avec envie.
  • Observer le buffet avec envie.
  • Loucher sur le dessert avec envie.
  • Sentir l'odeur de la cuisine avec envie.

Relationships

  • Observer leur complicité avec envie.
  • Regarder leur bonheur avec envie.
  • Écouter leurs projets avec envie.
  • Songer à leur vie de couple avec envie.

Personal Qualities

  • Regarder son talent avec envie.
  • Observer son courage avec envie.
  • Considérer sa patience avec envie.
  • Admirer sa beauté avec envie.

대화 시작하기

"Est-ce que tu as déjà regardé la voiture de quelqu'un avec envie ?"

"Qu'est-ce qui te fait regarder les autres avec envie en ce moment ?"

"Est-ce mal de regarder le succès de ses amis avec envie ?"

"Quand tu vois quelqu'un manger une bonne glace, est-ce que tu le regardes avec envie ?"

"Quels pays regardes-tu avec envie pour tes prochaines vacances ?"

일기 주제

Décrivez une situation où vous avez regardé quelque chose avec envie dans un magasin.

Pensez à un talent que possède un ami et que vous regardez avec envie. Pourquoi ?

Est-ce que la publicité nous force à regarder la vie des autres avec envie ? Développez votre pensée.

Racontez un souvenir d'enfance où vous regardiez les jouets d'un camarade avec envie.

Analysez la différence entre 'regarder avec envie' et 'regarder avec jalousie' selon votre expérience.

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

Not necessarily. In French, it often just describes a strong desire or admiration for something someone else has. It is less negative than 'avec jalousie'.

No, when creating an adverbial phrase of manner like this, the article is omitted. It's always 'avec envie'.

'Avec envie' describes *how* you do something (e.g., looking at a cake). 'Par envie' describes *why* you do something (e.g., you stole a cake out of envy).

Yes, but it is very rare. Native speakers almost always use the phrase 'avec envie' instead.

Yes! It is very common to look at a delicious meal 'avec envie'.

It means both, depending on the context. In 'avec envie', it is usually a mix of both: desiring what someone else has.

It is a nasal vowel. Don't pronounce the 'n'. It sounds like the 'an' in 'maman' or 'enfant'.

It usually goes right after the verb or the object of the verb.

Yes, you can add 'beaucoup de' or 'une certaine' to modify the intensity of the feeling.

It is neutral. You can use it with friends, in a business report, or in a novel.

셀프 테스트 200 질문

writing

Translate to French: 'He looks at the car with envy.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Use 'avec envie' in a sentence about a vacation.

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writing

Translate: 'She was listening to him with a hint of envy.'

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writing

Describe someone looking through a bakery window using 'avec envie'.

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writing

Translate: 'They observed our success with envy.'

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writing

Write a sentence using 'contempler' and 'avec envie'.

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writing

Translate: 'I can't help but look at your garden with envy.'

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writing

Explain the difference between 'avec envie' and 'avec jalousie' in French.

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writing

Translate: 'He sighed with longing.'

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writing

Use 'avec envie' in a formal sentence about international relations.

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writing

Translate: 'Don't look at my lunch with envy!'

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writing

Translate: 'It was with envy that he watched the train.'

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writing

Write a sentence about a cat and a fish using the phrase.

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writing

Translate: 'A mixture of admiration and envy.'

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writing

Use 'avec envie' to describe someone reading a luxury magazine.

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writing

Translate: 'She has always looked at my career with envy.'

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writing

Translate: 'We look at the future with longing.'

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writing

Use the phrase 'avec une certaine envie' in a sentence.

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writing

Translate: 'They followed the game with envy.'

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writing

Write a sentence about looking at a piece of jewelry.

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speaking

Say 'I look at the house with envy' in French.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Describe a luxury car using 'avec envie'.

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speaking

Pronounce 'avec envie' focusing on the liaison.

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speaking

How would you tell a friend their cake looks delicious using 'envie'?

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speaking

Say 'He spoke with a hint of envy' in French.

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speaking

Use 'avec envie' in a sentence about someone's job.

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speaking

Pronounce the nasal vowel in 'envie' correctly.

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speaking

Describe a child in a candy store using the phrase.

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speaking

Say 'They are looking at us with envy' in French.

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speaking

Use 'contempler' and 'avec envie' in a sentence about a trophy.

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speaking

Explain (in French) why someone looks at a map 'avec envie'.

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speaking

Say 'She sighed with longing' in French.

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speaking

Translate: 'Stop looking at my phone with envy!'

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speaking

Say 'a mixture of admiration and envy' in French.

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speaking

Use 'avec envie' in a sentence about your friend's garden.

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speaking

Pronounce 'avec beaucoup d'envie'.

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speaking

Say 'We look at the past with longing' in French.

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speaking

Translate: 'It makes me want to go' using 'envie'.

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speaking

Say 'He observes his rival with envy' in French.

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speaking

How do you say 'with covetousness' for a stronger effect?

Read this aloud:

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listening

Listen to the sentence: 'Il regarde la montre avec envie.' What is he looking at?

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listening

Listen: 'Elle a soupiré avec envie.' What was the action?

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listening

Listen: 'Je sens une pointe d'envie.' How much envy is there?

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listening

Does the speaker sound happy or longing in 'avec envie'?

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listening

Identify the adverbial phrase in: 'Ils nous observaient avec envie depuis le début.'

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listening

Listen: 'C'est avec envie qu'il a accepté.' Did he want to accept?

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen for the liaison: 'avec envie'. Is it a 'k' sound or a 't' sound?

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen: 'Il ne faut pas regarder avec envie.' Is this a command or a statement?

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listening

Listen: 'Ton succès fait envie.' Is this a compliment or an insult?

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listening

Listen: 'Il dévorait le dessert avec envie.' Is he eating it or looking at it?

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen: 'Elle parlait avec envie.' What was she doing?

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen: 'Beaucoup d'envie.' Is this more or less than 'une pointe d'envie'?

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen: 'Sans aucune envie.' Does the person want it?

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen: 'Observer avec envie.' Identify the verb.

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen: 'Un regard plein d'envie.' Is the phrase 'avec envie' used here?

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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