Envidiar is the act of wanting what someone else has, often rooted in social comparison.
Word in 30 Seconds
- To feel desire for someone else's possessions or traits.
- Often implies comparing one's own life to others.
- Can be used to express admiration in specific phrases.
Overview
El verbo 'envidiar' proviene del latín 'invidere', que significa mirar con malos ojos. Es un verbo transitivo que describe la emoción de sentir deseo por lo que otros tienen. A menudo tiene una connotación negativa, ya que implica una insatisfacción con la propia realidad en comparación con la ajena. 2) Usage Patterns: Se conjuga de manera regular en la mayoría de sus formas, aunque es un verbo de estado emocional. Es común usarlo con un objeto directo (envidiar su coche) o con una oración subordinada (envidio que puedas viajar). 3) Common Contexts: Se emplea en contextos cotidianos para hablar de logros ajenos, como 'envidio tu capacidad para hablar idiomas'. También puede aparecer en contextos literarios o dramáticos para describir celos profundos. En situaciones formales, puede usarse para expresar admiración, aunque con cuidado, diciendo 'no tengo nada que envidiarle a nadie', lo cual significa que uno está satisfecho con sus propios logros. 4) Similar Words comparison: A diferencia de 'codiciar', que implica un deseo intenso y a veces inmoral por algo material, 'envidiar' se centra más en la comparación social y el sentimiento de inferioridad o carencia frente al otro.
Examples
Envidio tu capacidad para organizar el tiempo.
everydayI envy your ability to organize time.
No tenemos nada que envidiar a las grandes potencias.
formalWe have nothing to envy the great powers for.
¡Qué envidia me das con ese viaje!
informalI'm so jealous of that trip!
El protagonista envidiaba la posición social de su rival.
academicThe protagonist envied his rival's social standing.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Qué envidia me das
I'm so jealous (in a friendly way)
Envidia sana
Healthy envy
No tener nada que envidiar
To be just as good as
Often Confused With
Codiciar implies a much stronger, often greedy desire for material goods or power. Envidiar is more about social comparison.
Celar refers to being jealous in a romantic or protective sense, fearing the loss of someone's affection.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Envidiar is a standard verb used in all registers. When used informally, it often loses its malicious tone, especially in the phrase 'qué envidia'. In professional settings, it is best to avoid it unless using the 'no tener nada que envidiar' structure.
Common Mistakes
Students often confuse 'envidia' (noun) with 'envidiar' (verb). Another error is using 'a' incorrectly with inanimate objects. Remember that envy is a feeling towards a person or a thing.
Tips
Use the phrase no tener nada que envidiar
This is a very common idiomatic way to express self-confidence. It means you are just as good as anyone else.
Avoid using it to sound bitter
Since the word carries a negative social weight, use it carefully when talking about friends to avoid sounding petty.
Cultural view on envy in Hispanic countries
In many Hispanic cultures, envy is seen as a 'bad eye' or a destructive force. People often avoid bragging to prevent others from feeling this way.
Word Origin
Derived from Latin 'invidere', composed of 'in-' (into/against) and 'videre' (to see). Literally, it means to look at something with a malicious or covetous gaze.
Cultural Context
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, public displays of wealth are sometimes avoided to prevent 'envidia'. It is considered a social taboo to boast too much about one's fortune.
Memory Tip
Think of the English word 'invidious' (something that causes envy). If you 'envy' someone, you are looking at them with a desire to take their place.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo siempre. Aunque generalmente tiene una carga negativa, en la expresión 'no tengo nada que envidiar' se utiliza de forma positiva para indicar seguridad y satisfacción personal.
El adjetivo correspondiente es 'envidioso' para el masculino y 'envidiosa' para el femenino. Se usa para describir a una persona que siente envidia frecuentemente.
No, es incorrecto. Al ser un verbo transitivo, debes usar el pronombre de objeto directo: 'te envidio' o 'envidio a Juan'.
La envidia es querer lo que otro tiene, mientras que los celos suelen implicar el miedo a perder algo que ya se posee, especialmente en relaciones personales.
Test Yourself
Completa la frase con la forma correcta del verbo.
Ella ___ mucho tu capacidad para aprender rápido.
Se requiere la tercera persona del singular para concordar con el sujeto 'Ella'.
Elige el significado correcto.
¿Qué significa 'No tengo nada que envidiarle'?
Es una expresión de igualdad y valor propio.
Ordena la frase.
su / envidio / éxito / mucho
La estructura correcta sigue Verbo + Adverbio + Objeto.
🎉 Score: /3
Summary
Envidiar is the act of wanting what someone else has, often rooted in social comparison.
- To feel desire for someone else's possessions or traits.
- Often implies comparing one's own life to others.
- Can be used to express admiration in specific phrases.
Use the phrase no tener nada que envidiar
This is a very common idiomatic way to express self-confidence. It means you are just as good as anyone else.
Avoid using it to sound bitter
Since the word carries a negative social weight, use it carefully when talking about friends to avoid sounding petty.
Cultural view on envy in Hispanic countries
In many Hispanic cultures, envy is seen as a 'bad eye' or a destructive force. People often avoid bragging to prevent others from feeling this way.
Examples
4 of 4Envidio tu capacidad para organizar el tiempo.
I envy your ability to organize time.
No tenemos nada que envidiar a las grandes potencias.
We have nothing to envy the great powers for.
¡Qué envidia me das con ese viaje!
I'm so jealous of that trip!
El protagonista envidiaba la posición social de su rival.
The protagonist envied his rival's social standing.
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