Translation guide
Describes an extreme desire for wealth or possessions, often in a negative sense. Japanese expresses this through adjectives, nouns, and descriptive phrases.
Describing a person who is excessively focused on acquiring money or material gain.
The most common and versatile adjective meaning 'greedy'. Can be used for money, food, or opportunities. Slightly informal but widely used.
彼は欲張りな人だ。
He is a greedy person.
欲張りな投資家はリスクを無視した。
The greedy investor ignored the risks.
Expressing an unquenchable craving for anything, not just money, such as power, knowledge, or experiences.
Used for intense desire in any domain. Can be positive (eager to learn) or negative (greedy for power).
彼女は知識に貪欲だ。
She is avaricious for knowledge.
欲張り (yokubari) is everyday 'greedy' for small things. 強欲 (gōyoku) is harsh, ruthless greed. 貪欲 (don'yoku) is intense craving, sometimes positive. Choose based on intensity and context.
欲張りな子供がケーキを全部食べた。
The greedy child ate all the cake.
強欲な商人が貧しい人々から搾取した。
The avaricious merchant exploited the poor.
彼の強欲な性格が身の破滅を招いた。
His avaricious nature led to his downfall.
彼女は称賛に貪欲だ。
She is avaricious for praise.
Stronger and more negative than 欲張りな, implying ruthless or insatiable greed. Often used in formal or written contexts.
強欲な経営者が会社を潰した。
The avaricious manager ruined the company.
Literary term for voracious greed, often for knowledge or success as well as money. Can be positive in some contexts (e.g., 貪欲に学ぶ).
彼は貪欲な金の亡者だ。
He is an avaricious money-grubber.
Colloquial phrase meaning 'money-grubbing' or 'stingy with money'. Implies a dirty or unscrupulous attitude toward money.
あの人は金に汚いから気をつけて。
That person is avaricious, so be careful.
Noun meaning 'miser' or 'money-grubber'. A strong, derogatory term for someone obsessed with hoarding money.
彼は守銭奴のようにお金を貯め込んでいる。
He hoards money like a miser.
A politician avaricious for power.
Literally 'deep desire', meaning insatiable greed. Commonly used in everyday speech.
欲が深いと失敗するよ。
If you're too avaricious, you'll fail.
Pre-noun adjectival meaning 'insatiable' or 'unending'. Often used in set phrases like 飽くなき追求 (relentless pursuit).
彼の飽くなき金銭欲には呆れる。
I'm disgusted by his avaricious desire for money.
He is avidly learning new skills.
Direct translations like '貪欲な' can sound overly literary. In casual speech, use '欲張りな' or phrases like '金に汚い' for money-related greed.
He is avidly learning new skills.
Direct translations like '貪欲な' can sound overly literary. In casual speech, use '欲張りな' or phrases like '金に汚い' for money-related greed.