อิจฉา
envy
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 envy、be envious of
Describes feeling envious of another person’s possessions, abilities, success, or fortunate circumstances. Depending on context, it can range from lighthearted envy to resentful jealousy.
envy、be envious of
Expresses envy toward someone or something they have, ranging from friendly “I wish I had that” envy to resentful jealousy.
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อิจฉาคนที่ได้ไปเที่ยวต่างประเทศ ìtchǎa khon thîi dâay pay thîaw tàaŋ prathêet I envy people who got to travel abroad. อิจฉาคนที่ได้ไปเที่ยวต่างประเทศ details
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ชีวิตเขาน่าอิจฉามาก chiiwít khǎw nâa ìtchǎa mâak His life is very enviable. ชีวิตเขาน่าอิจฉามาก details
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อย่าอิจฉาความสำเร็จของคนอื่น yàa ìtchǎa khwaam sǎmrèt khɔ̌ɔŋ khon ʉ̀ʉn Don’t envy other people’s success. อย่าอิจฉาความสำเร็จของคนอื่น details
Learning notes
Explanation
อิจฉา can take a person or the thing being envied, such as someone’s success, talent, appearance, possessions, or lifestyle. The basic pattern is อิจฉา followed by the person or object of envy. In friendly conversation, it can mean a lighthearted “I’m jealous!” or “I wish I had that.” In a negative context, it describes resentment of another person’s happiness or success. น่าอิจฉา means “enviable,” while ความอิจฉา is the noun “envy.”
Usage
It is commonly used when talking about a friend’s trip, new possessions, career success, talent, or fortunate lifestyle. It also appears when criticizing or warning against resentment toward other people’s success.
Caution
For romantic jealousy—feeling possessive because a partner is close to someone else—Thai normally uses หึง. อิจฉา primarily concerns envy of what another person has or has achieved. When saying it directly to someone, a friendly tone or an explanation helps prevent it from sounding resentful.
Differences from similar words
1 envy synonyms
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ริษยา is somewhat formal and usually emphasizes resentful or malicious envy. อิจฉา is more common in everyday speech and can express either harmless envy or negative resentment.