envidioso
/embiˈdjoso/
The English word 'envious' is translated into Spanish as envidioso.
envidioso is an adjective used to describe a person who is feeling or exhibiting envy. While you can use the adjective to describe someone, it is also very common in Spanish to use the phrase tener envidia (to have envy) to express that someone is feeling envious.
Meaning: feeling or exhibiting envy (adj)
Which one should you use?
envidioso is the adjective used to describe a person, whereas envidia is the noun used to name the feeling itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the person or people being described. Use envidiosa for a female, and use the masculine plural form envidiosos when describing a group of men or a mixed-gender group. If you are describing a group consisting only of females, use the feminine plural form envidiosas.
How do you pronounce it?
/embiˈdjoso/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, there is a distinction between envidia mala (bad envy) and envidia buena (good envy). The latter is used as a compliment to express admiration or a desire to have the same success as someone else.
- The root of envidioso comes from the Latin invidia, which literally translates to 'looking upon with a bad eye' or 'glance with malice'.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, people believe that envidiosos can cause physical illness or bad luck through a concept called mal de ojo or 'the evil eye'.
Examples in context
- Está envidioso del éxito de Tom.He is envious of Tom's success.This sentence shows how to use envidioso to describe someone's reaction to success.Tatoeba #8950539 by ignacio, translation #8949738 by Ergulis
- Los envidiosos mueren, la envidia nunca.The envious die, but envy never does.This sentence uses envidiosos to describe people in a proverbial context.Tatoeba #1707748 by marcelostockle, translation #3752300 by cromwellt
- Experiencias amargas me han enseñado: la felicidad y la riqueza atraen a los envidiosos. ¡Qué lástima!Bitter experience has taught me that happiness and wealth attract the envious. Unfortunately!This sentence uses envidiosos to describe the types of people attracted to happiness and wealth.Tatoeba #2456696 by marcelostockle, translation #2616423 by Dejo
- Estoy celoso de su éxitoI am envious of your success
- Te miran con ojos de envidiaThey look at you with eyes of envy
- Tengo envidia de tus habilidadesI am envious of your abilities
- Ella es muy envidiosaShe is very envious
- Se pone verde de envidia cuando ve tus logrosShe turns green with envy when she sees your accomplishments
- Me corroía de envidia al ver su nuevo cocheI was eaten away by envy when I saw his new car
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are talking about a friend's new car.
- ElenaMira el coche nuevo de Juan.Look at Juan's new car.
- AlejandroEs increíble, me siento un poco envidioso.It's incredible, I feel a bit envious.
- ElenaNo seas envidioso, Alejandro.Don't be envious, Alejandro.
- AlejandroTienes razón, él se lo merece.You are right, he deserves it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “envious” translations and entries envidioso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries envidioso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
