嫉妬
嫉妬 in 30 Seconds
- 嫉妬 (shitto) means jealousy or envy in Japanese.
- It is a strong, often negative emotion compared to the lighter 'urayamashii'.
- It can be used as a noun or a suru-verb (嫉妬する).
- Commonly found in romance, workplace drama, and psychological contexts.
The Japanese term 嫉妬 (しっと - shitto) is a powerful noun and suru-verb that encapsulates the complex human emotion of jealousy or envy. While in English we often distinguish between 'jealousy' (fear of losing something you have) and 'envy' (wanting what someone else has), 嫉妬 acts as a broad umbrella term covering both psychological states. It is composed of two kanji: 嫉 (envy) and 妬 (jealousy), both of which notably contain the 'woman' radical (女), reflecting historical (and arguably biased) linguistic roots regarding the expression of emotion.
- Core Concept
- A burning resentment or painful awareness of another's advantage, often accompanied by a desire to see them lose it or to possess it oneself.
- Emotional Range
- Spans from petty social envy over a friend's new car to deep, destructive romantic jealousy.
「彼は同僚の成功に激しい嫉妬を感じた。」(He felt intense jealousy toward his colleague's success.)
In a social context, 嫉妬 is often viewed negatively in Japan, associated with a 'small heart' (器が小さい). However, in modern psychological discourse, it is acknowledged as a natural, albeit difficult, emotion. It differs from 羨ましい (urayamashii), which is a lighter, often positive 'I'm envious (good for you!)', whereas 嫉妬 carries a darker, more resentful undertone.
「嫉妬は愛情の裏返しだと言われることもある。」(It is sometimes said that jealousy is the flip side of love.)
- Psychological Weight
- Often implies a sense of inferiority (劣等感) or a threat to one's self-esteem.
Using 嫉妬 correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility. Primarily, it functions as a noun, but it frequently transforms into a suru-verb (嫉妬する) to describe the act of feeling jealous. When you are jealous of someone, you use the particle に to indicate the target of the emotion.
- [Person] に 嫉妬する: To be jealous of [Person].
- [Success/Quality] に 嫉妬を覚える: To feel (experience) jealousy toward [Success/Quality].
- 嫉妬深い (shittobukai): An i-adjective meaning 'prone to jealousy' or 'very jealous person'.
「彼女はとても嫉妬深い性格だ。」(She has a very jealous temperament.)
In professional settings, 嫉妬 is often used to describe workplace dynamics. It is common to see it paired with words like 渦巻く (uzumaku - to swirl), as in 'jealousy swirling in the office.' In romantic contexts, it is often linked to 独占欲 (dokusenyoku - desire for monopoly/possessiveness).
- Common Collocations
- 嫉妬心 (shittoshin - a feeling of jealousy), 嫉妬に狂う (shitto ni kuruu - to be driven mad with jealousy), 嫉妬を買い (shitto o kau - to provoke jealousy in others).
You will encounter 嫉妬 across a wide spectrum of Japanese media and daily life, though its frequency varies by genre. In shoujo manga and romance dramas, it is a central plot device. Characters often struggle with 嫉妬 when a rival appears, leading to the famous 'kabedon' or dramatic confrontations.
「そんなに他の男と仲良くしないで。俺、嫉妬しちゃうよ。」(Don't be so friendly with other guys. I'll get jealous.)
In business news or literature, 嫉妬 is used to analyze organizational friction. For example, a younger employee's rapid promotion might trigger 嫉妬 among senior staff. This is often discussed in the context of 出る杭は打たれる (deru kui wa utareru - the nail that sticks out gets hammered down).
In psychology and self-help books, you'll see it as a topic of 'how to overcome negative emotions.' It is frequently paired with 自己肯定感 (jikokouteikan - self-esteem), suggesting that those with low self-esteem are more prone to 嫉妬.
The most frequent mistake for learners is confusing 嫉妬 (shitto) with 羨ましい (urayamashii). While both relate to wanting what another has, their social acceptability and emotional weight are vastly different.
- Mistake #1: Using 嫉妬 for compliments
- If a friend gets a scholarship, saying '嫉妬する!' can sound bitter or genuinely angry. Instead, use '羨ましい!' to mean 'I'm so jealous (in a good way)!'.
- Mistake #2: Particle Errors
- Learners often use 'を' (shitto o suru) when they mean 'to someone'. Remember: [Person] に 嫉妬する.
❌ 「あなたの才能を嫉妬します。」
✅ 「あなたの才能に嫉妬します。」
Another mistake is overusing the word. In Japanese culture, admitting to 嫉妬 is often seen as an admission of weakness or inferiority. Unless you are in a very close relationship or a therapy session, people usually describe the feeling more indirectly, using phrases like もやもやする (moyamoya suru - to feel hazy/unsettled).
Japanese has several words that overlap with 嫉妬, each with a specific nuance. Understanding these helps in choosing the right level of intensity and formality.
- 1. 妬み (Netami)
- Often used in the pair '妬み・嫉み' (netami-shizami). It feels more visceral and 'grudging' than 嫉妬. It is the feeling of looking down on someone while being envious.
- 2. 羨望 (Senbou)
- A more formal, literary term for 'envy' or 'admiration'. It lacks the negative 'resentment' of 嫉妬. You might feel 羨望 toward a great artist.
- 3. やきもち (Yakimochi)
- A colloquial, cute, or lighthearted way to say 'jealousy', almost exclusively used in romantic contexts. 'やきもちを焼く' (to toast mochi) is the common idiom.
「彼は彼女にやきもちを焼いている。」(He is being cute-jealous of her.) vs 「彼は彼女に嫉妬している。」(He is feeling (darker) jealousy toward her.)
In academic or psychological writing, 羨望 (envy) and 嫉妬 (jealousy) are sometimes strictly distinguished, where 羨望 is the two-person relationship (I want what you have) and 嫉妬 is the three-person relationship (I'm afraid you'll take what is mine).
How Formal Is It?
Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
Suru-verbs
Target particle 'ni'
I-adjective conjugation (shittobukai)
Causative form (shitto saseru - to make someone jealous)
Passive form (shitto sareru - to be envied/jealoused)
Examples by Level
彼は弟に嫉妬しています。
He is jealous of his younger brother.
Uses 'ni' to show the target of jealousy.
嫉妬は良くない感情です。
Jealousy is not a good emotion.
嫉妬 is the subject here.
私は嫉妬しません。
I don't get jealous.
Negative form of the suru-verb.
彼女は嫉妬しましたか?
Did she get jealous?
Past tense question form.
嫉妬は怖いです。
Jealousy is scary.
Simple adjective predicate.
友達に嫉妬しないでください。
Please don't be jealous of your friend.
Negative request form (~naide kudasai).
少し嫉妬しました。
I was a little jealous.
Adverb 'sukoshi' modifying the verb.
嫉妬の意味は何ですか?
What is the meaning of jealousy?
Asking for a definition.
彼女はとても嫉妬深い人です。
She is a very jealous person.
Using the i-adjective 'shittobukai'.
成功した友人に嫉妬を感じた。
I felt jealousy toward my successful friend.
Using 'shitto o kanjiru' (to feel jealousy).
嫉妬するのはやめましょう。
Let's stop being jealous.
Using 'no wa' to nominalize the verb.
どうして嫉妬するのですか?
Why do you get jealous?
Explaining the reason with 'no desu ka'.
嫉妬は人間なら誰でも持つ感情だ。
Jealousy is an emotion that any human has.
General statement using 'nara'.
彼は私の新しい車に嫉妬した。
He was jealous of my new car.
Jealousy directed at an object.
嫉妬深い性格を直したい。
I want to fix my jealous personality.
Using '~tai' for desire.
嫉妬は恋のスパイスだと言う人もいる。
Some people say jealousy is the spice of love.
Quoting an opinion with 'to iu hito mo iru'.
嫉妬心に負けて、ひどいことを言ってしまった。
I gave in to my feelings of jealousy and said something terrible.
Using 'shittoshin' (feeling of jealousy).
他人の幸せを嫉妬するのではなく、祝福したい。
I want to celebrate others' happiness instead of being jealous of it.
Using 'node wa naku' (instead of).
嫉妬からトラブルが起きることが多い。
Troubles often arise from jealousy.
Using 'kara' to show the cause.
彼女の才能に嫉妬を覚えるのは自然なことだ。
It's natural to feel jealousy toward her talent.
Using 'shitto o oboeru' (to experience jealousy).
嫉妬を隠すために、わざと冷たく接した。
I acted coldly on purpose to hide my jealousy.
Using 'tame ni' to show purpose.
SNSを見ていると、つい嫉妬してしまう。
When I look at SNS, I end up getting jealous.
Using 'tsui' (unintentionally) and 'te shimau'.
嫉妬深い彼氏と付き合うのは大変だ。
It's hard dating a jealous boyfriend.
Complex noun phrase as subject.
嫉妬をエネルギーに変えて頑張る。
I will turn my jealousy into energy and work hard.
Using 'ni kaete' (turning into).
嫉妬心は、時として人を狂わせる。
Jealousy sometimes drives people mad.
Using 'toki to shite' (sometimes).
彼は同僚の昇進に対して、激しい嫉妬を燃やしている。
He is burning with intense jealousy over his colleague's promotion.
Metaphorical use of 'moyasu' (to burn).
嫉妬を克服するためには、自己肯定感を高める必要がある。
To overcome jealousy, it's necessary to raise one's self-esteem.
Using 'hitsuyou ga aru' (need to).
無意識のうちに、彼女に嫉妬していたのかもしれない。
I might have been jealous of her without realizing it.
Using 'no kamoshirenai' (might be).
嫉妬という感情は、社会の競争原理と深く関わっている。
The emotion of jealousy is deeply connected to the principles of social competition.
Using 'to fukaku kakawatte iru'.
兄弟間の嫉妬は、親の愛情の偏りが原因であることが多い。
Jealousy between siblings is often caused by a parent's biased affection.
Using 'ga genin de aru'.
嫉妬を向けられる側も、実は辛いものだ。
The person who is the target of jealousy also finds it painful.
Using 'ukerareru gawa' (the side that receives).
嫉妬心に駆られて、冷静な判断ができなくなった。
Driven by jealousy, I became unable to make calm judgments.
Using 'ni kararete' (driven by).
嫉妬と羨望は、心理学的に明確に区別されるべき概念だ。
Jealousy and envy are concepts that should be clearly distinguished psychologically.
Using 'beki' (should).
その作家は、文壇における嫉妬の渦に巻き込まれた。
The author was caught in a whirlpool of jealousy within the literary world.
Metaphorical use of 'uzu' (whirlpool).
権力への嫉妬が、歴史を動かす原動力になることもある。
Jealousy toward power can sometimes be the driving force that moves history.
Abstract philosophical statement.
彼女の美貌に対する周囲の嫉妬は、想像を絶するものだった。
The jealousy of those around her regarding her beauty was beyond imagination.
Using 'souzou o zessuru' (beyond imagination).
嫉妬心を煽るような広告手法には、倫理的な問題がある。
There are ethical issues with advertising methods that fan the flames of jealousy.
Using 'aoru' (to fan/instigate).
彼は、自分の無能さを隠すために、有能な部下に嫉妬し続けた。
He continued to be jealous of his competent subordinates to hide his own incompetence.
Complex causal structure.
嫉妬という名の毒が、徐々に彼らの友情を蝕んでいった。
The poison called jealousy gradually eroded their friendship.
Metaphorical use of 'mushibamu' (to erode/eat away).
学問的な成功への嫉妬は、時に研究不正の引き金となる。
Jealousy toward academic success sometimes triggers research misconduct.
Using 'hikigane to naru' (to become a trigger).
ニーチェは、弱者が強者に対して抱く嫉妬を「ルサンチマン」と呼んだ。
Nietzsche called the jealousy that the weak feel toward the strong 'ressentiment'.
Citing philosophical concepts.
源氏物語における六条御息所の嫉妬は、生霊となって現れるほど凄まじい。
Lady Rokujo's jealousy in The Tale of Genji is so terrifying that it manifests as a living ghost.
Reference to classical literature.
嫉妬という情念の深淵を覗き込むことは、人間性の本質を問うことに他ならない。
Peering into the abyss of the passion called jealousy is nothing less than questioning the essence of humanity.
Using 'ni hoka naranai' (nothing but).
社会的地位の向上に伴い、彼はかつての仲間たちから陰湿な嫉妬を浴びることとなった。
As his social status rose, he came to be showered with insidious jealousy from his former companions.
Using 'ni tomonai' (along with) and 'abiru' (to be showered).
嫉妬心が、創造的な破壊ではなく、単なる破壊へと向かう時、悲劇が生まれる。
When jealousy leads not to creative destruction but to mere destruction, tragedy is born.
Philosophical contrast.
言語によって「嫉妬」と名付けられたこの感情は、文化圏によってその表出形態が異なる。
This emotion, named 'jealousy' by language, differs in its form of expression across cultural spheres.
Sociolinguistic observation.
自己のアイデンティティが他者との比較に依存している限り、嫉妬の呪縛から逃れることはできない。
As long as one's identity depends on comparison with others, one cannot escape the spell of jealousy.
Using 'kagiri' (as long as) and 'jubaku' (spell/curse).
嫉妬を昇華させ、自己研鑽の糧にできる者こそが、真の強者と言えるだろう。
Those who can sublimate jealousy and make it fuel for self-improvement can be called truly strong.
Using 'shouka' (sublimation) and 'kate' (food/fuel).
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Often Confused With
Idioms & Expressions
Easily Confused
Formal and can be positive; shitto is usually negative.
Used for cute/romantic jealousy; shitto is for any serious jealousy.
The feeling of being inferior, which often causes shitto.
The desire to own/monopolize, often related to romantic shitto.
Attachment/obsession, which can lead to shitto.
Sentence Patterns
Word Family
Related
How to Use It
Shitto is more 'bitter' than urayamashii.
Neutral to formal.
Common in fiction, moderate in daily speech.
- Using 嫉妬 to mean 'I'm happy for you' (use 羨ましい).
- Using the 'o' particle instead of 'ni' for the target.
- Confusing 嫉妬 (shitto) with 失望 (shitsubou - disappointment).
- Using 嫉妬 in a professional compliment (it sounds like you're a hater).
- Writing the kanji with the 'man' radical (there is no such kanji).
Tips
Complimenting Others
When a friend succeeds, always use '羨ましい' (urayamashii) instead of '嫉妬'. It sounds supportive rather than bitter. This maintains social harmony. It's the 'safe' choice for learners.
The 'Ni' Particle
Always remember that the person you are jealous of takes the 'ni' particle. 'Kare ni shitto suru'. Using 'o' is a common mistake for English speakers. Think of it as 'directing' your jealousy *at* someone.
Hiding Emotions
In Japan, showing 嫉妬 is often seen as 'uncool'. If you feel it, try to express it indirectly. Use words like 'moyamoya' to describe a vague bad feeling. This is more culturally appropriate in formal settings.
Kanji Practice
The kanji for 嫉妬 are complex. Practice the 'woman' radical on the left first. Then focus on the right-side components. Writing them out helps you remember the 'heavy' nuance of the word.
Synonym Power
Learn 'yakimochi' for romance and 'senbou' for formal envy. Having these variants makes your Japanese sound more natural. You can match your word choice to the situation's intensity. It shows high-level fluency.
Intonation Matters
Keep your pitch flat when saying 'shitto'. If you emphasize the 'shi' too much, it might sound like another word. A flat, calm delivery makes the word sound more serious. Practice with a native recording.
Context Clues
If you hear 'shitto' in an anime, look at the character's face. They are usually frowning or looking away. This helps you associate the sound with the negative emotion. It's a very 'visual' word in media.
Group Dynamics
In a group, if one person is getting all the attention, 嫉妬 is likely present. Understanding this helps you navigate Japanese social circles. You can use this knowledge to be more inclusive. It's part of 'reading the air'.
Self-Reflection
If you find yourself using 'shitto' a lot, think about why. In Japanese, it's often linked to 'inferiority'. Reflecting on this can help your personal growth. It's a word that invites deep thinking.
Drama Tropes
Watch for the 'jealous rival' character in J-Dramas. They are the personification of 嫉妬. Seeing how they are portrayed helps you understand the social stigma. It's a great way to learn the word's impact.
Memorize It
Word Origin
Sino-Japanese (Kango). Both characters 嫉 and 妬 contain the woman radical (女).
Cultural Context
While the kanji has the woman radical, men are equally described using this word in modern Japanese.
The term 'SNS疲れ' (SNS fatigue) is often linked to 'shitto' from seeing others' curated perfect lives.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"嫉妬深い人についてどう思いますか? (What do you think about jealous people?)"
"最近、何かに嫉妬したことはありますか? (Have you been jealous of anything lately?)"
"嫉妬を抑える良い方法はありますか? (Is there a good way to suppress jealousy?)"
"恋愛において、嫉妬は必要だと思いますか? (Do you think jealousy is necessary in romance?)"
"SNSで他人に嫉妬することはありますか? (Do you ever get jealous of others on SNS?)"
Journal Prompts
自分が嫉妬を感じた時のことを詳しく書いてください。 (Write in detail about a time you felt jealousy.)
嫉妬という感情のメリットとデメリットは何ですか? (What are the pros and cons of the emotion of jealousy?)
嫉妬深い自分をどう変えたいですか? (How do you want to change your jealous self?)
誰かの成功を心から喜べなかった経験はありますか? (Have you ever had an experience where you couldn't sincerely be happy for someone's success?)
嫉妬をモチベーションに変える方法を考えてください。 (Think of ways to turn jealousy into motivation.)
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsGenerally, yes, it implies a painful or resentful feeling. However, it can be used as a motivator for self-improvement in some contexts. In romance, some see a little jealousy as a sign of love. But usually, it's considered a negative emotion to be managed. It's rarely a compliment.
You can, but be careful with the tone. If you say it jokingly, it's fine. If you say it seriously, it might hurt the friendship. 'Urayamashii' is much safer for friends. Use 'shitto' only if you want to express a deep, serious feeling.
やきもち (yakimochi) is almost always about romance and is slightly more 'cute' or casual. 嫉妬 (shitto) is more formal, serious, and can be used for anything (money, talent, love). You wouldn't use yakimochi for someone's business success. You would use shitto.
Use 'やきもちい焼いちゃうな' (Yakimochi yaichau na) or '羨ましいな〜' (Urayamashii na~). These sound much softer and less aggressive than '嫉妬する'. They are common in dating. Avoid the kanji-heavy 'shitto' for cute moments.
Yes, they are N1-level kanji. They both have many strokes and the 'woman' radical. Most people can read them, but many Japanese people might use hiragana if they are writing quickly. However, in formal writing, the kanji are expected.
This is due to ancient linguistic traditions from China. It reflected a social bias that women were more prone to jealousy. Today, this is considered an outdated stereotype, but the kanji remains the same. It's a common point of discussion in gender studies.
Absolutely. Men use it just as much as women. There is no gender restriction on using the word in modern Japanese. A man can say '彼に嫉妬している' without any issue. It's a human emotion, not a gendered one.
It means 'a heart/feeling of jealousy.' Adding 'shin' (心) makes it more of a psychological term. You 'harbor' (idaku) a 嫉妬心. It sounds a bit more literary than just saying 'shitto'.
Japanese self-help books suggest focusing on 'jikokouteikan' (self-esteem). They also suggest 'sublimating' (shouka) the feeling into hard work. Another tip is to stop comparing yourself to others on social media. Recognizing the feeling is the first step.
Yes, very often. It describes the friction between coworkers. A common phrase is '嫉妬の渦' (a whirlpool of jealousy) in an office. It's often cited as a reason for workplace bullying or 'ijime'.
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Summary
嫉妬 is a versatile but 'heavy' term for jealousy and envy. Use it for serious emotional resentment or romantic possessiveness, but avoid it for casual compliments where 'urayamashii' is more appropriate.
- 嫉妬 (shitto) means jealousy or envy in Japanese.
- It is a strong, often negative emotion compared to the lighter 'urayamashii'.
- It can be used as a noun or a suru-verb (嫉妬する).
- Commonly found in romance, workplace drama, and psychological contexts.
Complimenting Others
When a friend succeeds, always use '羨ましい' (urayamashii) instead of '嫉妬'. It sounds supportive rather than bitter. This maintains social harmony. It's the 'safe' choice for learners.
The 'Ni' Particle
Always remember that the person you are jealous of takes the 'ni' particle. 'Kare ni shitto suru'. Using 'o' is a common mistake for English speakers. Think of it as 'directing' your jealousy *at* someone.
Hiding Emotions
In Japan, showing 嫉妬 is often seen as 'uncool'. If you feel it, try to express it indirectly. Use words like 'moyamoya' to describe a vague bad feeling. This is more culturally appropriate in formal settings.
Kanji Practice
The kanji for 嫉妬 are complex. Practice the 'woman' radical on the left first. Then focus on the right-side components. Writing them out helps you remember the 'heavy' nuance of the word.
Example
嫉妬を感じます。
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A1A state of feeling worried, anxious, or insecure about something. It describes a lack of peace of mind or a sense of apprehension regarding the future or an unknown outcome.
軽蔑
A1A strong feeling of dislike and a lack of respect for someone or something that you think is unimportant or has no value. It is often used to describe looking down on others for their behavior, status, or character.
勇気
A1Courage or bravery is the mental strength to face fear, danger, or difficulty. It describes the state of mind needed to take a risk or perform a challenging action despite being afraid.
臆病
A1Describes a person who is easily frightened, lacks courage, or is excessively timid. It is frequently used to describe a character trait where someone avoids risks or scary situations.
妄想
A1A delusion or a wild fantasy that is often unrealistic or groundless. It refers to thoughts or beliefs that are not based on reality, ranging from harmless daydreams to clinical paranoia.
欲望
A1A strong physical or psychological craving or appetite for something, often associated with material gain, power, or fundamental human drives. It describes an intense urge that motivates behavior, sometimes carrying a nuance of being insatiable or potentially greedy.
絶望
A1A state of complete loss of hope or the feeling that a situation is impossible to improve. It describes a deep emotional distress where one feels there are no possibilities left.