Inklingo

How to Say "envy" in Spanish

English → Spanish

envidia

en-VEE-dyaemˈbi.ðja

nounB1general
Use 'envidia' for the general feeling of wanting something that someone else has, whether it's possessions, qualities, or achievements.
A small green monster figure hiding behind a bush, intensely watching a happy child who is holding a large, bright red balloon. The monster looks envious.

Examples

Siento mucha envidia por tu habilidad para hablar tres idiomas.

I feel a lot of envy for your ability to speak three languages.

Su nueva casa es la envidia del barrio.

Her new house is the envy of the neighborhood.

La envidia no te deja ser feliz.

Envy doesn't allow you to be happy.

Gender Check

Even though 'envidia' ends in '-a', remember that it is a feminine noun, so you must use 'la envidia' or 'mucha envidia'.

Envidia vs. Celos

Mistake: “Using 'celos' when you mean 'envy' for possessions.”

Correction: Use 'envidia' when you want someone else's car or success. Use 'celos' (always plural) when you fear losing your partner or something you already possess.

celos

SEH-lohsˈse.los

nounB1general
Use 'celos' less commonly for intense envy, particularly when it's directed at someone's success or possessions and implies a competitive or resentful edge.
A lone woman standing in a simple room. A prominent, swirling green vapor cloud is visibly emanating from her chest area, symbolizing the consuming emotion of jealousy.

Examples

Mi hermana tiene celos de mi nuevo trabajo.

My sister is jealous of my new job.

Los celos destruyeron su relación, fue muy triste.

Jealousy destroyed their relationship, it was very sad.

No le des celos a tu pareja, sé honesto.

Don't make your partner jealous, be honest.

Always Plural

Even though 'celos' means a single feeling (jealousy), it is always treated as a plural word in Spanish. This means you must use plural articles and adjectives (e.g., 'los celos', 'unos celos terribles').

Using 'Tener'

To say someone 'is jealous,' Spanish uses the verb 'tener' (to have). You say 'Tengo celos' (I have jealousy) instead of 'Soy celoso' (I am a jealous person).

Using the Singular

Mistake: “Siento celo.”

Correction: Siento celos. ('Celo' in singular means 'heat' or 'rut' for animals, not jealousy.)

Choosing Between 'Envidia' and 'Celos'

The most common mistake is using 'celos' when 'envidia' is more appropriate. Remember that 'celos' implies a stronger, often competitive or resentful, feeling of envy, while 'envidia' is the standard, more versatile term for wanting what others have.

Related Translations

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