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Overseas, I don't often say "envy" directly to anyone other than my close friends, but I can use different expressions to express my envy.
This time, let's learn how to express envy feelings in in English.envy feelings in in English.
An English expression that directly expresses "envy"
Overseas, there are many people who feel that "people are people, and I am myself", so on the surface, I don't often feel "envious" when comparing myself with others. Of course, since I am a human being, I have a feeling of envy of others, and the competition is very fierce, and some people are working hard on how to kick them off.
The words jealous and envy, which are direct expressions of "jealous" feelings, are often used only in close relationships. We often use different expressions, but before we learn those expressions, let's take a look at how to use these two words.
I’m jealous.
It is an expression that expresses a general "envy" feeling. You may have learned "I'm jealous" even in school English. It is a word that is commonly seen among friends even when exchanging on SNS. It is used as "I'm so jealous!" (Very enviable) when a friend uploads a photo of a vacation on a nice beach. Natives use so before various adjectives, but adding so emphasizes the feelings and makes the phrase more colloquial and mellow.
In slang, "I'm jelly.", Which is a shortened version of jealous, is also often used, so be sure to remember it so that you don't get "jelly? What am I in jelly?" You can also use make to say "You make me jealous.", But in general, "I'm so jealous!" And "I'm jelly." Most often used.
I envy you.
Along with jealous, the verb envy is a direct word that means "envy," but it's more jealous and less frequently used than jealous. Be aware that some tones may sound sarcastic. It's okay to use it if you have a close and familiar relationship, but most of the time it isn't used.
An English expression that expresses indirect "envy"
There are many surprising things in English that express "good" feelings. Here are some of the most frequent ones. Be sure to remember these expressions that natives often use to express their feelings of "good" and "envious".
Use lucky
You can express your envy by using lucky, which means "lucky" or "attached." It's a word that you can easily use even if you don't have a sarcasm and you don't have a close relationship. It is also frequently used on SNS.
You're so lucky! (Well, you're so lucky!)
How lucky! (How lucky!)
Lucky you! (I'm lucky!)
You're the luckiest person in the world.
Some expressions may sound a little exaggerated, but natives often use inflections to exaggerate their emotions.
use wish + past tense
You can also express your envy by using the verb wish, which means "wish something." It's like, "I wish I could do it, but I wish I could." For example, you can use it when your friends upload photos of vacations and parties to SNS, talk about traveling plans and going to concerts of your favorite singer.
I wish I were there. (I wish I were there too.)
I wish I could come with you. (I wish I could go with you)
You can also use wish when you want to decline in a roundabout way. For example, if you were invited to dinner, but you already have something else to do, you can say the following without being rude.
I wish I could but I already have a plan. Maybe next time?
"Well, nice" That's awesome / so cool / great.
You can also express your envy by using words such as awesome, cool, and great that express emotions such as "great" and "wow." On the surface, they say "cool" and "like" to the behavior and things of the other person, but it is an expression that fits perfectly with the word "like".
A: My fiance's parents have a house in Bali. They invited me to spend a holiday together. (My fiance's parents had a house in Bali and invited me to spend a vacation together.)
B: That's awesome! Enjoy to the fullest!
A: You have a beautiful bag. Did you buy it? (You have a beautiful bag. Did you buy it?)
B: My boyfriend bought it for my birthday. (My boyfriend bought it for my birthday.)
A: That's so cool. You're so lucky to have such a nice boyfriend!
"Seriously?" You must be kidding.
"You must be kidding." Or "You are kidding.", Which means "Wow!", "Seriously?", "I can't believe it!", Can also express envy.
For example, when you get a ticket for a concert that is difficult to obtain, you may be both surprised and "good". "Oh my god!", Which is worthy of "Eh!". Both are often used in a variety of situations, regardless of envy.
A: I got a ticket to the BTS concert.
B: You must be kidding ! None of my friends got one!
"I hate you" I hate you.
If "I hate you." Is left as it is, it will be "I hate you", but it is used when you want to express your enviable feelings in a slang manner. It's like, "I'm jealous and I hate you!" Especially used by close friends.
A: What is your plan for this summer?
B: I'm going to Hawaii with my sister.
A: I hate you!
「Unfair is」It's so unfair.
"It's so unfair.", Which means "unfair" and "sly," also indirectly expresses envy. It doesn't matter if you don't have so, but adding so makes you feel more comfortable, and many people use so as a habit without any particular meaning.
It's so unfair! You don't even do any exercise but you have a perfect body!
It's so unfair, you're having a holiday in Maldives again!
Conclusion
It is possible to express envy in English without using the direct word "envy". All of the
expressions introduced here are expressions that natives use frequently on a daily basis, so
be sure to remember and master them.
If your friends and followers have posted nice vacation photos on Instagram, please comment
"You're so lucky!".
It is important to practice repeatedly in order to be able to pop out in the right situation. If you have a chance, let's get used to it.
