Korean Dictionary
How to say "Envious" in Korean
“Envious” in Korean is 부러워하다 (pronounced "Bureowohada").
부러워하다
Bureowohada
Usage & Context
Describes admiring what someone else has — often used as a genuine compliment in Korean. 부럽다! (I envy you!) is frequently said when impressed by someone's travel, relationship, or success. Less negative than jealousy.
Example Sentence
유럽 여행을 갔다고요? 너무 부러워요!
You went to Europe? I'm so envious!
How to use 부러워하다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Envious” is 부러워하다, romanized as Bureowohada.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 부러워하다.
Pronunciation Guide
부 (bu) sounds like 'boo' in 'boo!'. 러 (reo) is like 'raw' but with a softer 'r' and a shorter 'o' sound. 워 (wo) is like 'woah' without the 'h'. 하 (ha) is like 'ha' in 'haha', and 다 (da) is like 'da' in 'dad'. The stress is fairly even, with a slight emphasis on the first syllable.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
부러워해요
Bureowohaeyo
Common polite form used in everyday conversation.
Casual (반말)
부러워해
Bureowohae
Casual form used with close friends or subordinates.
More Example Sentences
Admiring a friend's new possession.
친구의 새 차가 너무 부러워요.
I'm so envious of my friend's new car.
Describing someone's tendency to compare themselves to others.
그녀는 항상 다른 사람들의 성공을 부러워했다.
She always envied other people's success.
Expressing admiration for a close friend's lifestyle.
네가 자유롭게 여행하는 모습이 정말 부러워.
I really envy how you travel freely.
Cultural Context
부러워하다 (to envy) and its adjective form 부럽다 (to be enviable/to envy) are very commonly used in Korean, often with a positive or admiring connotation rather than negative jealousy. Saying '부럽다!' to someone who just got a promotion, went on a nice trip, or has a great relationship is a genuine compliment, acknowledging their good fortune or achievement. It's a way of sharing in their happiness and expressing a desire for something similar, without malice. You'll hear it frequently in K-dramas among friends.
Editorial note
We review entries like 부러워하다 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
정말 부러워요!
I'm really envious! (Common exclamation)
부러워할 필요 없어
No need to be envious (Reassurance)
네가 부러워 죽겠어
I'm dying of envy for you (Hyperbolic expression of envy)
Related Expressions
부럽다
Bureopda
To be enviable, to envy (adjective form, often used as an exclamation '부럽다!')
질투하다
Jiltuhada
To be jealous (more negative connotation)
시기하다
Sigihada
To be envious, to begrudge (stronger, more negative envy)
탐내다
Tamnaeda
To covet, to desire greedily (related to wanting what others have)
More Emotions Words
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