贅沢
zeitaku[d͡ze̞ːta̠kɯ̟]
The English word luxury is expressed in Japanese as 贅沢 (zeitaku).
贅沢 is a common and versatile word used to describe something desirable but expensive. You can use it to refer to a luxury item by adding the suffix 品 to create 贅沢品. Additionally, the idiom 贅沢を言う is used when someone is being demanding or complaining about things that are actually quite good, meaning 'to be picky' or 'to demand too much'.
Meaning: something desirable but expensive (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 贅沢 often implies excess or spending too much, the word 豪華 is used to describe something that is grand, splendid or high-end in appearance.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun 贅沢 can be transformed into other parts of speech: by adding な, it becomes the adjective 贅沢な (luxurious) and by adding に, it becomes the adverb 贅沢に (luxuriously).
How do you pronounce it?
zeitaku
Did you know?
- The kanji 贅 in 贅沢 originally referred to redundant flesh or a tumor, implying that luxury is an unnecessary growth on the body of society.
- During the Edo period, the Tokugawa shogunate issued 'sumptuary laws' to forbid commoners from using 贅沢 items like certain silks or colors to maintain social hierarchy.
- In Japanese, the word 贅沢 can be used to describe 'luxury' in a psychological sense, such as having the 'luxury of time' (jikan no zeitaku), meaning you have the freedom to not rush.
Examples in context
- トムは贅沢三昧だ。Tom lives in the lap of luxury.This sentence is useful for illustrating the phrase 贅沢.Tatoeba #11638334 by small_snow, translation #6635772 by Hybrid
- 芸術は贅沢品ではない、必需品だ。Art is not a luxury, but a necessity.Tatoeba #176029 by KK_kaku_, translation #238436 by CM
- タクシーに乗るのは私には贅沢だ。Taking a taxi is a luxury for me.Tatoeba #203721 by bunbuku, translation #40960 by Swift
- この高級ホテルは本当に贅沢です。This luxury hotel is truly exquisite.
- 彼女は贅沢な生活を楽しんでいます。She enjoys a luxurious lifestyle.
- この高級ブランドのバッグはとても人気があります。This high-end brand's bags are very popular.
- 彼女の新しいマンションは本当にラグジュアリーだよね。Her new apartment is really luxurious, right?
- このブティックは贅沢品がたくさんあるよ。This boutique has many luxury goods.
- この宿泊施設は本当に豪華でした。This accommodation was truly luxurious.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a fancy restaurant.
- 健太 Kentaこのレストランは、ちょっと贅沢すぎるね。Kono resutoran wa, chotto zeitaku sugiru ne.This restaurant is a bit too much of a luxury, isn't it?
- 結衣 Yuiでも、たまには贅沢もいいよ。Demo, tama ni wa zeitaku mo ii yo.But it's okay to indulge in luxury once in a while.
- 健太 Kenta結衣さんは、いつも贅沢が大好きだね。Yui-san wa, itsumo zeitaku ga daisuki da ne.Yui, you always love luxury, don't you?
- 結衣 Yuiそうだよ、幸せな気分になれるから。Sou da yo, shiawase na kibun ni nareru kara.That's right, because it makes me feel happy.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 贅沢, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
