Envy is the feeling of wanting what someone else has or has achieved.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Feeling of wanting what others have.
- Admiration mixed with a desire for oneself.
- Common in everyday life situations.
Overview
羡慕（xiàn mù）是一个非常常用且重要的中文词汇，属于A2级别。它描述了一种复杂的情感，即看到别人在物质、成就、能力、境遇等方面比自己优越时，内心产生的既希望自己也能拥有，又可能夹杂着些许失落或赞赏的心理状态。它既可以是对他人积极品质的认可，也可以是对自身不足的感受。
羡慕通常用作动词，后面可以接名词、代词或名词性短语，表示“羡慕某人”或“羡慕某物”。它也可以用于描述一种状态，例如“令人羡慕”。在口语和书面语中都很常见。
与嫉妒类似，但有时更侧重于对别人比自己好而产生的心理不平衡，情绪可能比嫉妒稍弱，但同样是负面的。
嫉妒比羡慕更负面，它不仅包含羡慕，还带有强烈的敌意、不满和希望对方失去的心理。羡慕通常是积极或中性的，而嫉妒则总是负面的。
仰慕侧重于对他人品德、才能或成就的高度尊敬和钦佩，通常不包含占有欲，更多的是一种精神上的追随和学习的愿望。羡慕则更侧重于对结果的渴望。
Examples
我真羡慕你在海边长大。
everydayI really envy you for growing up by the sea.
他拥有令人羡慕的职业生涯和幸福的家庭。
formalHe possesses an enviable career and a happy family.
看到你天天都能睡懒觉，我太羡慕了！
informalSeeing you can sleep in every day, I'm so envious!
该研究者在国际顶尖期刊上发表多篇论文，其学术成就令人羡慕。
academicThe researcher has published multiple papers in top international journals; their academic achievements are truly admirable.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
我好羡慕你啊！
I'm so envious of you!
真羡慕！
How enviable!
令人羡慕的生活
An enviable life
Often Confused With
Envy (羡慕) is wanting what someone else has. Jealousy (嫉妒) is the fear of losing what you have to a rival, or feeling resentful towards someone for what they have.
Envy (羡慕) focuses on desiring what others possess. Admiration (仰慕) focuses on respecting and looking up to someone's qualities or achievements, without necessarily wanting to possess them.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word '羡慕' is very common in everyday Chinese conversation and writing. It can be used to express a wide range of feelings, from mild appreciation to strong desire. It's generally considered a neutral or slightly positive emotion when directed towards achievements or positive qualities.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '羡慕' (envy/admire) with '嫉妒' (jealousy). While related, '嫉妒' carries a stronger negative connotation of resentment and hostility. Ensure you use '羡慕' when the feeling is primarily admiration or a wish to have something similar, without malice.
Tips
Use Envy as Motivation
Channel your envy into positive action. Use what others have achieved as inspiration to work harder towards your own goals.
Beware of Negative Envy
Excessive or resentful envy can turn into jealousy, harming relationships and personal well-being. Focus on your own journey.
Expressing Envy in China
Directly expressing envy is common but often softened with phrases like '真让人羡慕' (zhēn ràng rén xiànmù - truly makes one envious) to maintain politeness.
Word Origin
The character 羡 (xiàn) originally meant 'to long for' or 'to desire'. The character 慕 (mù) means 'to admire' or 'to look up to'. Together, 羡慕 captures the feeling of longing for what others have and admiring them for it.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, while expressing envy is common, it's often tempered with politeness. People might say '真羡慕你' (I really envy you) but avoid overly aggressive or resentful tones, which would lean towards '嫉妒'. Healthy envy can be seen as a motivator.
Memory Tip
Think of 'envy' as 'en-V' for 'very' wanting something. Visualize someone having a 'V' sign (victory) that you wish you had.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“羡慕”是指看到别人拥有自己没有的东西时产生的渴望，通常是中性或略带积极的。而“嫉妒”则更负面，除了渴望，还包含不满、敌意，甚至希望对方失去的心理。
“羡慕”可以用在各种生活场合，无论是谈论物质、成就、能力还是生活状态，只要看到别人比自己好，都可以用“羡慕”来表达。
可以。我们可以说“有点羡慕”、“非常羡慕”或“十分羡慕”来表示羡慕的程度。有时也可以用“令人羡慕”来形容某个事物或状态。
不一定。健康的羡慕可以成为前进的动力，激励我们努力去达成目标。但如果过度，或者带有负面情绪，就可能变成嫉妒。
Test Yourself
看到他买了一辆新跑车，我真＿＿＿＿。
这里描述的是看到别人拥有好东西时产生的渴望，用“羡慕”最合适。
下列哪个句子表达了对他人成功的羡慕？
这句话直接表达了对他人语言能力的赞赏和渴望，符合“羡慕”的含义。
我 / 他的 / 羡慕 / 机会 / 很多
这是一个主谓宾结构，明确表达了“我”羡慕“他”拥有的“很多机会”。
Score: /3
Summary
Envy is the feeling of wanting what someone else has or has achieved.
- Feeling of wanting what others have.
- Admiration mixed with a desire for oneself.
- Common in everyday life situations.
Use Envy as Motivation
Channel your envy into positive action. Use what others have achieved as inspiration to work harder towards your own goals.
Beware of Negative Envy
Excessive or resentful envy can turn into jealousy, harming relationships and personal well-being. Focus on your own journey.
Expressing Envy in China
Directly expressing envy is common but often softened with phrases like '真让人羡慕' (zhēn ràng rén xiànmù - truly makes one envious) to maintain politeness.
Examples
4 of 4我真羡慕你在海边长大。
I really envy you for growing up by the sea.
他拥有令人羡慕的职业生涯和幸福的家庭。
He possesses an enviable career and a happy family.
看到你天天都能睡懒觉，我太羡慕了！
Seeing you can sleep in every day, I'm so envious!
该研究者在国际顶尖期刊上发表多篇论文，其学术成就令人羡慕。
The researcher has published multiple papers in top international journals; their academic achievements are truly admirable.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More emotions words
有点
A1A little; somewhat; rather.
可恶
A2Hateful; detestable; abominable.
心不在焉
A2Absent-minded; preoccupied.
接受地
A2Acceptingly; receptively.
成就感
B1Sense of achievement; fulfillment.
撒娇
A2To act like a spoiled child; to act cute.
上瘾
B1To be addicted to something.
沉迷
A2To be addicted to; to be engrossed in.
敬佩
B1Admiration; respect; reverence.
佩服
B1To admire; to respect.
