부럽다 (bu-reop-da, bureopda) · 질투하다 (jil-tu-ha-da, jiltuhada)
'부럽다' expresses positive or neutral admiration, while '질투하다' conveys negative feelings mixed with possessiveness.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Used to express admiration or desire when seeing someone else's good qualities or situation.
When to use
Friend's success, Owning cool things, Admiring happy situation
The nuance
Mainly expresses positive or neutral admiration, used when envying someone’s happiness or success.
Used when feeling negative emotions due to possessiveness or fear of losing what someone else has.
When to use
Romantic rivalry, Possessiveness, Expressing negative feelings
The nuance
Negative emotion involving possessiveness, often expressing rivalry in love or relationships.
친구가 좋은 직장을 구해서 정말 부럽다.
chin-gu-ga joh-eun jik-jang-eul gu-hae-seo jeong-mal bu-reop-da., chin gu ga joh eun jik jang eul gu hae seo jeong mal bu reop da.
Appropriate as a positive admiration for friend’s good situation.
친구가 좋은 직장을 구해서 정말 질투한다.
chin-gu-ga joh-eun jik-jang-eul gu-hae-seo jeong-mal jil-tu-han-da., chin gu ga joh eun jik jang eul gu hae seo jeong mal jil tu han da.
질투하다 is negative and possessive, so inappropriate for admiring friend’s success.
그녀가 다른 남자와 이야기하는 걸 보고 질투했어.
geu-nyeo-ga da-reun nam-ja-wa i-ya-gi-ha-neun geol bo-go jil-tu-haess-eo., geu nyeo ga da reun nam ja wa i ya gi ha neun geol bo go jil tu haess eo.
Appropriate to express negative possessiveness in romantic rivalry.
그녀가 다른 남자와 이야기하는 걸 보고 부러웠어.
geu-nyeo-ga da-reun nam-ja-wa i-ya-gi-ha-neun geol bo-go bu-reo-woss-eo., geu nyeo ga da reun nam ja wa i ya gi ha neun geol bo go bu reo woss eo.
Admiring partner’s interaction with others is unnatural in romantic context.
그 집 강아지가 너무 귀여워서 부럽다.
geu jip gang-a-ji-ga neo-mu gwi-yeo-wo-seo bu-reop-da., geu jip gang a ji ga neo mu gwi yeo wo seo bu reop da.
Appropriate positive admiration for someone else’s cute dog.
그 집 강아지가 너무 귀여워서 질투한다.
geu jip gang-a-ji-ga neo-mu gwi-yeo-wo-seo jil-tu-han-da., geu jip gang a ji ga neo mu gwi yeo wo seo jil tu han da.
질투하다 requires possessiveness, inappropriate here without ownership desire.
그가 나보다 더 많은 돈을 벌어서 부럽다.
geu-ga na-bo-da deo man-eun don-eul beol-eo-seo bu-reop-da., geu ga na bo da deo man eun don eul beol eo seo bu reop da.
Appropriate positive admiration for someone’s financial success.
그가 나보다 더 많은 돈을 벌어서 질투한다.
geu-ga na-bo-da deo man-eun don-eul beol-eo-seo jil-tu-han-da., geu ga na bo da deo man eun don eul beol eo seo jil tu han da.
Appropriate to express possessiveness and rivalry over wealth.
Which word should you use to positively admire a friend's good news?
What emotion describes feeling when your partner talks to someone else?
Which word fits the feeling when admiring someone’s cool car?
Which word is used when feeling negative emotions due to possessiveness?
