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B1 noun #9,000 most common 9 min read

虚栄心

kyoeishin Top 9,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 虚栄心 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 虚栄心 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '虚栄心' (kyoeishin) is a very advanced word that you likely won't need to use yourself. However, it's helpful to know that it means 'vanity'—wanting to look good to others even if it's not true. Think of it like a 'fake smile' for your whole life. In simple Japanese, we might just say 'かっこつけたい' (kakko tsuketai - wanting to look cool). You might see the kanji '心' which you know means 'heart' or 'mind.' This tells you the word is about a feeling inside. Don't worry about using it yet; just remember it's a 'bad' kind of wanting to be famous or rich.

At the A2 level, you are starting to learn more about feelings and personality traits. '虚栄心' (kyoeishin) is a noun for 'vanity.' You can understand it as 'the heart that wants to show off.' The first part 'kyoei' means 'empty glory.' This is a great word to recognize when watching Japanese dramas where characters care too much about their reputation. For now, you can remember the common phrase '虚栄心が強い' (kyoeishin ga tsuyoi), which means 'is very vain.' It's like saying someone cares too much about what other people think of their clothes or money.

At the B1 level, you should be able to understand and use '虚栄心' (kyoeishin) in discussions about personality and social behavior. This word is perfect for describing why people post perfect photos on social media or buy expensive things they don't need. It's different from 'pride' (プライド), which can be good. 'Kyoeishin' is specifically about 'empty' vanity. You can use it with verbs like '満たす' (mitasu - to satisfy) or '張る' (haru - to put up a front). It’s a common theme in Japanese culture, where 'face' (reputation) is very important. Learning this word helps you talk about deeper human motivations beyond just 'happy' or 'sad.'

At the B2 level, '虚栄心' (kyoeishin) is an essential part of your vocabulary for analyzing literature, news, and social trends. You should understand the nuance that it implies a lack of substance—it is 'empty' (虚). You can use it in complex sentences like '虚栄心に駆られて...' (driven by vanity...). You should also be able to distinguish it from related words like '見栄' (mie - showing off) and '自惚れ' (unubore - conceit). In an essay or a debate, you might use this word to criticize consumerism or the superficiality of modern celebrity culture. It's a sophisticated way to discuss the gap between reality and appearance.

At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced command of '虚栄心' (kyoeishin) and its psychological implications. You can use it to discuss historical contexts, such as how the 'kyoeishin' of certain leaders influenced national policy, or in literary analysis to describe a character's 'hamartia' or fatal flaw. You should be familiar with more advanced collocations like '虚栄心をくすぐる' (to tickle/flatter someone's vanity) or '虚栄心の塊' (a personification of vanity). At this level, you can also explore the philosophical roots of the term, connecting it to the Buddhist concept of the 'emptiness' of worldly desires. Your usage should reflect an understanding of its weight and the social judgment it carries.

At the C2 level, '虚栄心' (kyoeishin) is a tool for precise and elegant expression. You can use it to dissect complex human behaviors in academic or professional settings. You might discuss the 'collective kyoeishin' of a society during a bubble economy or use it metaphorically in creative writing. You understand the subtle interplay between 'kyoeishin' and 'gishi' (falsehood), and how it relates to the Japanese concept of 'tatemae' (public face). You can use the word in high-level idioms and literary constructions, recognizing its presence in the works of great Japanese thinkers. Your mastery allows you to use it with irony, sarcasm, or deep empathy, depending on the context, fully grasping its role in the Japanese psyche.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

虚栄心 in 30 Seconds

Kyoeishin means vanity or conceit, focusing on 'empty glory.'
It is used to describe someone who cares too much about their public image.
Commonly paired with 'tsuyoi' (strong) or 'mitasu' (satisfy).
It is almost always negative, unlike 'puraido' (pride) which can be positive.

The Japanese word 虚栄心 (kyoeishin) is a profound psychological term that translates most directly to 'vanity' or 'conceit.' However, its nuance in Japanese goes deeper than mere arrogance; it specifically refers to the desire to show oneself as better, wealthier, or more capable than one actually is. It is the 'empty glory' (虚 - empty, 栄 - glory) of the heart (心). In a culture that values social harmony and 'saving face,' kyoeishin is often viewed as a character flaw that leads people to live beyond their means or pretend to possess qualities they lack. It describes the internal engine that drives someone to buy luxury items they cannot afford or to brag about connections they don't truly have.

Psychological Nuance: Unlike simple pride (which can be positive), kyoeishin implies a lack of substance. It is the act of polishing the exterior while the interior remains hollow.

彼は虚栄心から、無理をして高級車を買った。(Out of vanity, he went to great lengths to buy a luxury car.)

In contemporary Japan, this word is frequently discussed in the context of social media (SNS). The pressure to post 'instagenic' photos or to appear successful to followers is often described as being fueled by kyoeishin. It is a word that appears in literature, psychological analysis, and everyday gossip when discussing someone who is 'all show and no go.' It is distinct from puraido (pride), which can involve self-respect; kyoeishin is almost always used with a negative or cautionary connotation, suggesting that the person is a slave to the opinions of others.

Social Context: In Japanese workplace dynamics, kyoeishin might prevent someone from asking for help because they want to appear perfectly competent, eventually leading to bigger failures.

SNSは人々の虚栄心を刺激する仕組みになっている。(Social media is structured to stimulate people's vanity.)

Historically, the term has roots in Buddhist philosophy regarding the transitory nature of worldly success. To chase kyoei is to chase a shadow. Therefore, when you use this word, you are commenting on the perceived 'emptiness' of the subject's actions. It is a powerful noun that encapsulates a complex mix of insecurity, ambition, and social performance. It is rarely used to describe oneself unless in a moment of deep self-reflection or confession, as admitting to kyoeishin is admitting to being superficial.

Literary Usage: Classic Japanese novels often use kyoeishin to describe the downfall of characters who prioritize their reputation over their actual well-being or family.

つまらない虚栄心は捨てたほうがいい。(It's better to throw away petty vanity.)

Using 虚栄心 (kyoeishin) correctly requires understanding its common verbal pairings. Since it is a noun representing a mental state or trait, it often acts as the subject or object of specific verbs that describe how vanity functions within a person. The most common construction is 虚栄心が強い (kyoeishin ga tsuyoi), which literally means 'vanity is strong,' used to describe a vain person. Another frequent pairing is 虚栄心を張る (kyoeishin wo haru), meaning 'to put up a front of vanity' or 'to show off.' This 'haru' (to stretch/put up) suggests the creation of a thin, superficial layer of grandeur.

Common Verb: 満たす (Mitasu): To satisfy one's vanity. Example: 'ブランド品を買って虚栄心を満たす' (Buying brand-name goods to satisfy one's vanity).

彼女の虚栄心をくすぐるような言葉をかけた。(I said words that would tickle her vanity.)

Another evocative verb is くすぐる (kusuguru), which means 'to tickle.' To 'tickle someone's vanity' means to flatter them in a way that plays into their need for admiration. You might also see 虚栄心を捨てる (kyoeishin wo suteru), which means 'to discard vanity,' often used in a self-improvement or spiritual context. When vanity is the cause of a mistake, the particle から (kara) or ゆえに (yueni) is used: '虚栄心から嘘をつく' (to tell a lie out of vanity). This highlights the motivational aspect of the word.

Grammar Note: Compound Nouns: 虚栄心 can be combined with other words, such as 虚栄心旺盛 (kyoeishin ousei), meaning 'full of vanity' or 'brimming with vanity.'

彼は自分の虚栄心のために家族を犠牲にした。(He sacrificed his family for the sake of his own vanity.)

In formal writing, kyoeishin is often used to analyze historical figures or fictional characters. For example, 'ナポレオンの虚栄心が彼の没落を招いた' (Napoleon's vanity led to his downfall). In this sense, it is treated as a tragic flaw. In casual conversation, while you might use the simpler mie, using kyoeishin adds a weight of psychological judgment. It suggests that the behavior isn't just a one-time 'showing off' but a fundamental part of the person's 'heart' (心).

誰にでも多少の虚栄心はあるものだ。(Everyone has at least a little bit of vanity.)

You will encounter 虚栄心 (kyoeishin) in a variety of high-level Japanese contexts. It is a staple of 'human drama' in TV shows and movies, particularly those focusing on high society, corporate rivalry, or the pitfalls of fame. When a character is criticized by a wise mentor or a jilted lover, kyoeishin is the word used to cut through their pretenses. It's the 'intellectual' way to call someone shallow. In talk shows where psychologists or cultural critics discuss modern society, this word is used to explain why people feel 'burnout' from trying to maintain a perfect image online.

Media Context: News and Editorials: Editorials discussing political scandals often use kyoeishin to describe politicians who care more about their public image than actual policy results.

「そのブランドバッグ、本当は虚栄心の塊だよね」("That brand-name bag is really just a lump of vanity, isn't it?")

In Japanese literature, from Natsume Soseki to modern novelists like Haruki Murakami, kyoeishin is a key theme. It represents the struggle of the individual against social expectations. You'll hear it in lyrics of J-Pop or J-Rock songs that deal with themes of alienation or the falseness of the city. For example, a song might describe the 'neon lights of vanity' (kyoeishin no neon). It's also a common word in self-help books (自己啓発本 - jiko keihatsu bon), where readers are encouraged to let go of kyoeishin to find their 'true self' (本当の自分).

彼は虚栄心を隠そうともしなかった。(He didn't even try to hide his vanity.)

In business settings, while less common than 'pride,' it might come up in performance reviews or leadership training. A leader might be warned that their kyoeishin is preventing them from listening to subordinates. It is also used in fashion and marketing discussions to describe 'aspirational' consumer behavior. When marketers target the 'vanity' of consumers, they are tapping into kyoeishin. So, whether you are reading a psychological thriller, a business editorial, or a social critique of TikTok trends, kyoeishin is the go-to word for describing the human tendency to prioritize appearance over reality.

Anime and Manga: Antagonists are often portrayed as having extreme kyoeishin, making them vulnerable when their public image is threatened.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using 虚栄心 (kyoeishin) is confusing it with プライド (puraido - pride). In English, 'pride' can be either positive (self-respect) or negative (hubris). In Japanese, puraido is often neutral or even positive, whereas kyoeishin is almost exclusively negative. If you tell someone they have a 'strong pride' (プライドが高い), it might be a compliment to their standards. If you say they have a 'strong vanity' (虚栄心が強い), it is an insult to their depth. Never use kyoeishin to describe a healthy sense of self-worth.

Mistake: Using it for 'Confidence': Do not confuse kyoeishin with 自信 (jishin). Jishin is internal confidence; kyoeishin is an external performance driven by a lack of confidence.

× 彼は仕事に虚栄心を持っている。(Incorrect: He has vanity in his work.) → ○ 彼は仕事に誇りを持っている。(Correct: He has pride in his work.)

Another mistake is using kyoeishin as an adjective directly. It is a noun. You cannot say '虚栄心な人' (kyoeishin-na hito). You must say '虚栄心の強い人' (kyoeishin no tsuyoi hito) or '虚栄心に満ちた人' (kyoeishin ni michita hito). Learners also often confuse it with 見栄 (mie). While related, mie is the *action* of showing off (e.g., 'mie wo haru'), while kyoeishin is the *psychological state* that causes that action. You 'show' mie, but you 'have' kyoeishin.

Furthermore, be careful with the kanji. The first character 虚 (kyo) also appears in kyouzo (false image) and kyouitari (falsehood). If you write it as 巨 (kyo - huge) by mistake, the meaning changes completely or becomes nonsensical. Finally, avoid using it in casual settings where a simpler word like unubore (self-conceit) might be more appropriate. Kyoeishin sounds quite heavy and analytical, so using it to describe a small child being 'vain' about a new toy might sound overly dramatic or clinical.

Register Confusion: Using kyoeishin in a very casual chat about fashion might make you sound like a sociology professor. Stick to mie or oshare for light topics.

Understanding the nuances between 虚栄心 (kyoeishin) and its synonyms will greatly improve your Japanese expressive power. The most common alternative is 見栄 (mie). While kyoeishin is the internal drive, mie is the external display. You 'put on' mie (見栄を張る). If kyoeishin is the fire, mie is the smoke. Another similar word is 自惚れ (unubore), which means 'self-conceit' or 'overconfidence.' Unubore is more about thinking too highly of one's own abilities, whereas kyoeishin is more about wanting *others* to think highly of you.

Comparison: 虚栄心 vs. プライド: Kyoeishin: Focuses on 'empty' appearance and seeking external approval. Negative.
Puraido: Focuses on internal standards and self-respect. Can be positive.

彼は自惚れが強いが、虚栄心はあまりない。(He is very conceited about his skills, but he doesn't have much vanity about his status.)

Then there is 虚飾 (kyoshoku), which means 'ostentation' or 'showy decoration.' This is often used for things rather than people, like '虚飾に満ちた生活' (a life full of ostentation). If you want to describe someone who is arrogant in a more aggressive way, you might use 傲慢 (gouman). Gouman is 'arrogance' or 'haughtiness,' implying looking down on others. Kyoeishin doesn't necessarily involve looking down on others; it's more about looking 'up' at a false image of oneself. Finally, 名誉欲 (meiyoyoku) refers to the desire for fame or honor. While kyoeishin wants the *appearance* of honor, meiyoyoku is the active *ambition* to achieve it.

Summary Table

見栄 (Mie): The act of showing off.
自惚れ (Unubore): Delusional self-importance.
虚飾 (Kyoshoku): External, physical ostentation.
傲慢 (Gouman): Arrogance that demeans others.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji 虚 is the same one used in 'void' or 'emptiness' in Buddhist texts, highlighting that vanity is seen as chasing something that doesn't truly exist.

Pronunciation Guide

UK kjoeːɕiɴ

US kjoeɪʃɪn

Flat pitch accent (Heiban), though some speakers may have a slight drop after 'kyo'.

Rhymes With

自信 (jishin) 野心 (yashin) 核心 (kakushin) 誠心 (seishin) 感心 (kanshin) 良心 (ryoushin) 熱心 (nesshin) 内心 (naishin)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'kyo-ei-shin' as four distinct beats (it's three: kyo-ei-shin).
Confusing the long 'e' in 'ei' with a short 'e'.
Pronouncing the 'n' like a hard English 'n' at the tip of the teeth.
Stressing the 'shin' too much.
Mispronouncing 'kyo' as 'ki-yo'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 7/5

The kanji 虚 and 栄 are N2/N1 level, but the word is common in literature.

Writing 8/5

Writing 虚 and 栄 correctly requires practice with stroke order.

Speaking 5/5

The pronunciation is straightforward once you master the 'kyo' sound.

Listening 6/5

Easy to recognize in dramas once you know the 'shin' suffix.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

心 (shin/kokoro) 強い (tsuyoi) 嘘 (uso) 自分 (jibun) 見栄 (mie)

Learn Next

自尊心 (jisonshin) 傲慢 (gouman) 謙虚 (kenkyo) 劣等感 (rettoukan) 優越感 (yuuetsukan)

Advanced

虚飾 (kyoshoku) 虚妄 (kyomou) 自己顕示欲 (jikokenjiyoku) 承認欲求 (shounin yokkyuu)

Grammar to Know

Noun + から (Out of/From)

虚栄心から嘘をつく (Tell a lie out of vanity).

Noun + のために (For the sake of)

虚栄心のために金を使う (Spend money for the sake of vanity).

Noun + が強い (Is strong)

彼は虚栄心が強い (He is very vain).

Noun + を + Verb (Object-Verb)

虚栄心を満たす (Satisfy vanity).

Noun + に駆られる (To be driven by)

虚栄心に駆られる (Be driven by vanity).

Examples by Level

彼は虚栄心が強いです。

He is very vain.

Subject + ga + tsuyoi (is strong).

虚栄心はよくないです。

Vanity is not good.

Basic noun + wa + adjective.

虚栄心を捨てましょう。

Let's throw away vanity.

Object + wo + suteru (discard).

それはただの虚栄心だ。

That is just vanity.

Noun + da (is).

虚栄心のために嘘をつく。

To tell a lie for the sake of vanity.

Noun + no tame ni (for the sake of).

彼女は虚栄心がない。

She has no vanity.

Noun + ga nai (there is no).

虚栄心は怖いです。

Vanity is scary.

Basic noun + wa + adjective.

みんな虚栄心がある。

Everyone has vanity.

Noun + ga aru (there is/possess).

虚栄心から高い時計を買った。

I bought an expensive watch out of vanity.

Kara (from/out of) indicates motivation.

彼は虚栄心を満足させた。

He satisfied his vanity.

Object + wo + manzoku saseta (satisfied).

虚栄心のために無理をした。

I overextended myself for vanity.

Muri wo suru (to overextend/force oneself).

彼女の虚栄心はすごいです。

Her vanity is amazing (in a bad way).

Possessive 'no' + noun.

虚栄心を張るのはやめなさい。

Stop putting up a front of vanity.

Wo haru (to stretch/put up) + yamensai (stop it).

虚栄心が彼の目を曇らせた。

Vanity clouded his eyes.

Subject + ga + object + wo + verb.

誰にでも虚栄心はあります。

Everyone has vanity.

Formal 'arimasu' form.

虚栄心を捨てて、素直になろう。

Let's throw away vanity and be honest.

Suteru (te-form) + sunao ni narou (let's become honest).

SNSは虚栄心を刺激しやすい。

Social media easily stimulates vanity.

Shigeki suru (stimulate) + yasui (easy to).

つまらない虚栄心は捨てた方がいい。

It's better to throw away petty vanity.

Tsumaranai (petty/boring) + noun + hou ga ii (better to).

彼は虚栄心を満たすために嘘をつき続けた。

He kept telling lies to satisfy his vanity.

Mitasu tame ni (to satisfy) + verb stem + tsuzuketa (continued to).

彼女の言葉は私の虚栄心を傷つけた。

Her words hurt my vanity.

Object + wo + kizutsuketa (hurt/damaged).

虚栄心が強すぎると、友達を失うよ。

If your vanity is too strong, you'll lose friends.

Sugiru (too much) + to (if).

彼は虚栄心から、自分の失敗を認めなかった。

Out of vanity, he didn't admit his mistake.

Kara (out of) + failure + wo + mitomenakatta (did not admit).

虚栄心に負けてはいけない。

You must not lose to vanity.

Ni makete wa ikenai (must not lose to).

本当の幸せは虚栄心の中にはない。

True happiness is not found within vanity.

Naka ni wa nai (is not inside).

彼の虚栄心をくすぐるようなお世辞を言った。

I gave him a compliment that would tickle his vanity.

Kusuguru (tickle) + you na (like/as if).

虚栄心に駆られて、身の丈に合わない生活を送る。

Driven by vanity, one lives a life beyond their means.

Ni kararete (driven by) + mi no take ni awanai (beyond one's status).

その政治家は虚栄心の塊だと言われている。

That politician is said to be a personification of vanity.

No katamari (a lump/personification) + to iwarete iru (is said to be).

虚栄心を捨てきれず、彼は苦悩した。

Unable to completely discard his vanity, he suffered.

Sute-kirezu (unable to completely discard).

ブランド品を身につけることで虚栄心を満たしている。

They satisfy their vanity by wearing brand-name goods.

Verb koto de (by doing verb).

虚栄心はしばしば判断を狂わせる。

Vanity often warps one's judgment.

Shibashiba (often) + kuruwaseru (to warp/make crazy).

彼女の虚栄心が、家庭の崩壊を招いた。

Her vanity led to the collapse of the family.

Object + wo + maneita (brought about/led to).

虚栄心のない人間など、この世にいるのだろうか。

I wonder if there is anyone in this world without vanity.

Ningen nado (people and such) + no darou ka (I wonder).

近代社会は個人の虚栄心を巧妙に利用している。

Modern society skillfully exploits individual vanity.

Koumyou ni (skillfully) + riyou shite iru (is utilizing).

彼の虚栄心が、客観的な事実を歪めてしまった。

His vanity distorted the objective facts.

Kyakukanteki na (objective) + yugamete shimatta (completely distorted).

虚栄心という名の鎖に縛られている。

Bound by the chains known as vanity.

To iu na no (by the name of) + shibararete iru (is bound).

虚栄心を煽るような広告が溢れている。

Advertisements that fan the flames of vanity are everywhere.

Aoru (to fan/instigate) + afurete iru (is overflowing).

学歴に対する虚栄心が、彼を追い詰めた。

Vanity regarding his academic background pushed him to the edge.

Ni taisuru (towards/regarding).

虚栄心は、自尊心とは似て非なるものである。

Vanity is something that is seemingly similar to but actually different from self-esteem.

Nite-hinaru mono (similar but different thing).

老いへの恐怖が、彼女の虚栄心を一層強くした。

The fear of aging made her vanity even stronger.

Issou (even more) + tsuyoku shita (made stronger).

虚栄心が剥がれ落ちたとき、そこには何が残るのか。

When vanity peels away, what remains there?

Hagare-ochiru (to peel and fall off).

虚栄心の充足は一時の快楽に過ぎない。

The fulfillment of vanity is nothing more than a momentary pleasure.

Juusoku (fulfillment) + ni suginai (nothing more than).

その文士の虚栄心は、作品の質にまで悪影響を及ぼした。

The writer's vanity even adversely affected the quality of their work.

Akueikyou wo oyobosu (to exert a bad influence).

虚栄心という虚妄に、一生を捧げる愚かさ。

The foolishness of dedicating one's life to the delusion called vanity.

Kyomou (delusion/falsehood) + sasageru (dedicate).

虚栄心を剔抉（てっけつ）し、真実の自己と向き合う。

To gouge out vanity and face one's true self.

Tekketsu (to gouge out/expose) + mukiau (to face).

権力者の虚栄心が、歴史の転換点となることもある。

The vanity of those in power can sometimes become a turning point in history.

Kenryokusha (person in power) + tenkanten (turning point).

虚栄心とは、他者の眼差しを内面化した結果である。

Vanity is the result of internalizing the gaze of others.

Naimenka (internalization) + kekka (result).

虚栄心の裏側には、常に孤独と不安が潜んでいる。

Behind vanity, loneliness and anxiety are always lurking.

Uragawa (back side/underneath) + hisonde iru (is lurking).

言語化されない虚栄心が、沈黙の中で肥大化していく。

Unspoken vanity bloats within the silence.

Gengoka sarenai (not verbalized) + hidaika (bloating/enlarging).

Common Collocations

虚栄心が強い

虚栄心を満たす

虚栄心をくすぐる

虚栄心を張る

虚栄心の塊

虚栄心から

虚栄心を捨てる

虚栄心を煽る

虚栄心に駆られる

虚栄心の充足

Common Phrases

つまらない虚栄心

— Petty or worthless vanity. Used to dismiss someone's behavior.

そんなつまらない虚栄心は捨てなさい。

虚栄心の虜

— A slave to vanity. Describes someone who can't stop showing off.

彼はすっかり虚栄心の虜になっている。

虚栄心が顔に出る

— Vanity shows on one's face. Implying a smug or pretentious look.

彼の虚栄心が顔に出ているよ。

女の虚栄心 / 男の虚栄心

— Female vanity / Male vanity. Often used in gendered stereotypes.

男の虚栄心が邪魔をして謝れない。

虚栄心に火がつく

— Vanity is ignited. When someone starts competing to look better.

ライバルの登場で彼の虚栄心に火がついた。

虚栄心を満足させる

— To satisfy one's vanity.

その賞賛は彼の虚栄心を十分に満足させた。

虚栄心を傷つけられる

— To have one's vanity wounded.

公衆の面前で恥をかかされ、虚栄心を傷つけられた。

虚栄心のせい

— Because of vanity (blaming vanity).

失敗したのはすべて虚栄心のせいだ。

虚栄心に満ちた

— Full of vanity.

虚栄心に満ちた言葉を並べる。

虚栄心の裏返し

— The flip side of vanity (often implying insecurity).

彼の傲慢さは虚栄心の裏返しだ。

Often Confused With

虚栄心 vs プライド (Pride)

Pride can be positive self-respect; Kyoeishin is always negative and empty.

虚栄心 vs 自信 (Confidence)

Confidence is internal and real; Kyoeishin is external and fake.

虚栄心 vs 野心 (Ambition)

Ambition is wanting to achieve; Kyoeishin is wanting to look like you've achieved.

Idioms & Expressions

"虚栄心を張る"

— To stretch one's vanity; to put up a false front to look superior.

彼はいつも虚栄心を張っている。

Neutral

"虚栄心の塊"

— A person who is nothing but vanity through and through.

あの部長は虚栄心の塊だ。

Informal/Critical

"虚栄心をくすぐる"

— To flatter someone in a way that appeals to their desire for admiration.

お世辞で虚栄心をくすぐる。

Neutral

"虚栄心に駆られる"

— To be driven or impelled by a strong sense of vanity.

虚栄心に駆られて借金をした。

Formal

"虚栄心の奴隷"

— A slave to vanity; someone who cannot act without considering their image.

虚栄心の奴隷になってはいけない。

Literary

"虚栄心が首を絞める"

— Vanity strangles one's neck (vanity leads to one's own ruin).

虚栄心が自分の首を絞めることになる。

Idiomatic

"虚栄心を剥ぐ"

— To strip away someone's vanity or false front.

彼の虚栄心を剥いで真実を暴く。

Literary

"虚栄心に目がくらむ"

— To be blinded by vanity.

虚栄心に目がくらんで大切なものを見失う。

Idiomatic

"虚栄心の産物"

— A product of vanity (referring to an object or achievement).

この豪華な邸宅は、彼の虚栄心の産物だ。

Formal

"虚栄心を飼いならす"

— To tame one's vanity (to control it).

賢者は自分の虚栄心を飼いならしている。

Philosophical

Easily Confused

虚栄心 vs 見栄 (mie)

Both mean vanity/showing off.

Mie is the action/front; Kyoeishin is the psychological heart behind it. You 'haru' (put up) mie, you 'have' kyoeishin.

見栄を張って高い店に行く (Go to an expensive shop to show off).

虚栄心 vs 自惚れ (unubore)

Both involve high self-opinion.

Unubore is thinking you are great (delusion); Kyoeishin is wanting OTHERS to think you are great (vanity).

彼は自分の才能に自惚れている (He is conceited about his talent).

虚栄心 vs 虚飾 (kyoshoku)

Both involve 'kyo' (empty).

Kyoshoku is the physical or external ostentation (decoration/lifestyle); Kyoeishin is the internal feeling.

虚飾を捨てて質素に暮らす (Discard ostentation and live simply).

虚栄心 vs 傲慢 (gouman)

Both are negative personality traits.

Gouman is arrogance that looks down on others; Kyoeishin is vanity that looks for approval.

傲慢な王様 (An arrogant king).

虚栄心 vs 名誉欲 (meiyoyoku)

Both relate to status.

Meiyoyoku is the active desire for real honors; Kyoeishin is the desire for the appearance of it.

名誉欲のために研究に励む (Work hard on research for the sake of honor).

Sentence Patterns

[Person] は虚栄心が強い。

田中さんは虚栄心が強い。

虚栄心から [Action]。

虚栄心から嘘を言った。

虚栄心を満たすために [Action]。

虚栄心を満たすために服を買う。

[Person] の虚栄心をくすぐる。

上司の虚栄心をくすぐる。

虚栄心に駆られて [Action]。

虚栄心に駆られて借金する。

虚栄心の塊のような [Noun]。

虚栄心の塊のような男だ。

虚栄心を捨てきれない [Person]。

虚栄心を捨てきれない彼。

虚栄心という名の [Noun]。

虚栄心という名の牢獄。

Word Family

Nouns

虚栄 (kyoei - vanity/empty glory)

虚栄心 (kyoeishin - the heart of vanity)

Verbs

虚栄を張る (kyoei wo haru - to show off)

Adjectives

虚栄的な (kyoeiteki na - vain/ostentatious)

見栄 (mie)

虚飾 (kyoshoku)

自惚れ (unubore)

プライド (puraido)

虚妄 (kyomou)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in media, literature, and psychological discussions. Less common in casual daily chores.

Common Mistakes

虚栄心な人 (Kyoeishin-na hito) → 虚栄心の強い人 (Kyoeishin no tsuyoi hito)
Kyoeishin is a noun, not an adjective. You need 'no tsuyoi' (with strong...) to describe a person.
虚栄心を持っている (Kyoeishin wo motte iru) for 'Confidence' → 自信を持っている (Jishin wo motte iru)
Kyoeishin is negative vanity; Jishin is positive confidence.
見栄心 (Mieshin) → 虚栄心 (Kyoeishin) or 見栄 (Mie)
You cannot combine 'mie' and 'shin' this way. Use one or the other.
Using 'Kyoeishin' as a compliment → 誇り (Hokori)
If you want to say someone has great pride in their work, use 'hokori.' 'Kyoeishin' is an insult.
Writing 巨栄心 (Huge Glory Heart) → 虚栄心 (Empty Glory Heart)
The first kanji must be 虚 (empty), not 巨 (huge).

Tips

Avoid Self-Description

Don't use 'kyoeishin' to describe yourself unless you are being very self-critical or humble. It's usually a word used to describe others.

Particle Choice

Use 'ga' with 'tsuyoi' (虚栄心が強い) and 'wo' with 'mitasu' (虚栄心を満たす). This is the most natural way to use the word.

Mie vs Kyoeishin

If you are just starting, use 'mie' more often. It's more common in daily speech. Save 'kyoeishin' for when you want to sound more serious or analytical.

Face Culture

Understand that in Japan, 'face' is important. Kyoeishin is the 'dark side' of this cultural trait, where the desire for face becomes pathological.

Kanji Breakdown

Focus on the 'heart' (心) at the end. It reminds you that this is an internal feeling, not just an external action.

Drama Cliché

In many J-Dramas, the villain's downfall starts when their 'kyoeishin' is exposed. Listen for it during the climax of a story.

Modern Slang

While 'kyoeishin' is formal, the behavior is often called 'mie-ppari' or 'shounin-yokkyuu' (desire for approval) online.

Vanity vs Pride

Always remember: Pride (Hokori) = Real. Vanity (Kyoeishin) = Empty. This will help you choose the right word every time.

Literature

When you see 'kyoeishin' in a book, it's a sign that the author is about to explore a character's deep insecurities.

Emphasis

When you say 'kyoeishin,' emphasize the 'kyo' to give it that feeling of 'emptiness' that the word implies.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Kyo' as 'Kill your' and 'Ei' as 'Ego's' 'Shin' as 'Sincerity'. Vanity (Kyoeishin) kills your sincerity.

Visual Association

Imagine a person wearing a massive, heavy gold crown (栄) that is actually hollow and empty (虚) inside, making their heart (心) heavy.

Word Web

Heart Empty Glory Lies Social Media Brand Names Show-off Insecurity

Challenge

Try to find one example of 'kyoeishin' in a Japanese TV show or anime today. Look for a character who refuses to admit they are poor or unskilled.

Word Origin

Composed of three kanji: 虚 (Kyo - empty/hollow), 栄 (Ei - glory/splendor), and 心 (Shin - heart/mind).

Original meaning: The heart that seeks empty or hollow glory.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Cultural Context

Calling someone 'kyoeishin ga tsuyoi' is a direct personal criticism and can be very offensive if not used carefully.

In English, we often use 'vanity' for physical appearance, but Kyoeishin covers status, wealth, and intellect too.

The novel 'Botchan' by Natsume Soseki features characters driven by vanity. The concept of 'Mie' in Kabuki theater is a stylized 'show-off' pose, related to the root of this word. Modern J-Dramas like 'Tokyo Joshi Zukan' (Tokyo Girl) explore the Kyoeishin of living in the big city.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Social Media Discussion

SNS疲れ
映えを狙う
虚栄心の張り合い
いいねが欲しい

Psychological Analysis

劣等感の裏返し
自己肯定感
虚栄心を満たす
内面を磨く

Financial Advice

身の丈に合った生活
見栄のための支出
虚栄心を捨てる
貯金の大切さ

Literature/Storytelling

悲劇の引き金
虚栄心に狂う
仮面を剥ぐ
真実の姿

Workplace Politics

手柄を横取り
虚栄心が邪魔をする
素直に聞く
評価を気にする

Conversation Starters

"最近のSNSを見てると、みんな虚栄心が強いと感じませんか？ (Looking at recent social media, don't you feel everyone is very vain?)"

"虚栄心を捨てるには、どうすればいいと思いますか？ (What do you think is the best way to throw away vanity?)"

"ブランド品を買うのは、虚栄心からだと思いますか？ (Do you think people buy brand-name goods out of vanity?)"

"自分の虚栄心に気づいた瞬間はありますか？ (Is there a moment when you realized your own vanity?)"

"虚栄心と自尊心の違いは何だと思いますか？ (What do you think is the difference between vanity and self-esteem?)"

Journal Prompts

今日、自分の虚栄心が原因で何か行動したことはありますか？ (Did you do anything today driven by your own vanity?)

周りに虚栄心が強い人はいますか？その人とどう接していますか？ (Is there someone vain around you? How do you deal with them?)

虚栄心のない社会は、どのようなものになると思いますか？ (What kind of society do you think one without vanity would be?)

自分が一番虚栄心を張ってしまう場面はどこですか？ (In what situations do you find yourself putting up a front of vanity the most?)

「虚栄心」という言葉を初めて聞いたとき、どう感じましたか？ (How did you feel when you first heard the word 'kyoeishin'?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Almost never. In Japanese, it carries a strong connotation of being 'hollow' or 'fake.' If you want to describe a good kind of pride, use 'puraido' (positive) or 'hokori' (pride in work/identity).

Think of 'mie' as the verb-like action (showing off) and 'kyoeishin' as the noun-like psychological state. You 'haru' (stretch) your 'mie' to satisfy your 'kyoeishin'.

It sounds a bit too heavy for small children. For kids, you'd usually say 'kakko tsuketai' (wants to look cool) or 'mie-ppari' (a show-off).

It literally means 'a lump of vanity.' It's a common idiom to describe someone whose entire personality seems to be based on impressing others and showing off.

You could say '虚栄心を張るのはやめなさい' (Kyoeishin wo haru no wa yamenasai) or more simply '見栄を張るな' (Mie wo haru na).

Yes, in a psychological context, 'kyoeishin' is often used to describe narcissistic traits, specifically those related to seeking external validation.

The kanji 虚 (kyo) is used because vanity is seen as a pursuit of things that have no real substance or lasting value, like a hollow shell.

Extremely. Critics often use 'kyoeishin' to describe the 'Instagrammable' culture where people prioritize photos over the actual experience.

Yes, but usually in a critical way, such as describing a company that spends too much on a fancy office while being in debt.

The most common opposite is 'kenkyo' (humility) or 'soboku' (simplicity/artlessness).