Envier (en. Envy)

[ɑ̃.vje]

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

verb

To feel resentment or desire towards what someone else possesses.

I shouldn't envy his successes, but I can't help it.

Je ne devrais pas envier ses réussites, mais je n'arrive pas à m'en empêcher.

To desire something that one does not own.

She envies her neighbor who has a nice car.

Elle envie son voisin qui a une belle voiture.

To regret not having what the other has.

He envies his friend for his musical talent.

Il envie son ami pour son talent musical.

Comes from the Latin 'invidere', which means 'to look at with hatred'.

to envy someone

To be jealous of what someone else has.

envier quelqu'un

to envy someone's fate

To wish to have the life or situation of another person.

envier le sort de quelqu'un

desire to

A strong desire for something that one does not have.

envie de

jealousy

Feeling of envy towards another person.

jalousie

desire

A need or desire for something.

désir

rivalry

Conflict or competition between two people to obtain something.

rivalité

To have a big head

She has had a big head ever since she got that promotion, now I envy her.

Elle a eu la grosse tête depuis qu'elle a eu cette promotion, maintenant je l'envie.

To be green with rage

I am green with rage when I see her vacation photos; I really envy her trip.

Je suis vert de rage quand je vois ses photos de vacances, j'envie vraiment son voyage.