虚栄心(きょえいしん)

きょえいしん
noun
vanity; conceit; vainglory
1. vanity; conceit; vainglory
Excessive pride in one's appearance, achievements, or possessions, especially to impress others.
虚栄心(きょえいしん)から高価(こうか)なブランド品(ひん)を買(か)った。
I bought expensive brand-name goods out of vanity.
彼(かれ)は虚栄心(きょえいしん)が強(つよ)い。
He has strong vanity.
虚栄心(きょえいしん)を満(み)たすために無理(むり)をする。
To push oneself too hard to satisfy one's vanity.

WORD FORMATION:
虚栄(きょえい) (vanity, empty glory) + 心(しん) (heart, mind) → vain heart = vanity

KANJI BREAKDOWN:

  • 虚(きょ) - empty, false
  • 栄(えい) - glory, prosperity
  • 心(しん) - heart, mind

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 虚栄心(きょえいしん)が強(つよ)い - to have strong vanity
  • 虚栄心(きょえいしん)から - out of vanity
  • 虚栄心(きょえいしん)を満(み)たす - to satisfy one's vanity
  • 虚栄心(きょえいしん)を捨(す)てる - to abandon one's vanity

RELATED WORDS:

  • 見栄(みえ) - show, pretense, vanity
  • 見栄(みえ)を張(は)る - to put on airs
  • うぬぼれ - self-conceit
  • 自尊心(じそんしん) - self-esteem (more neutral)

NUANCE:
虚栄心(きょえいしん) is almost always used negatively, suggesting empty or false pride focused on superficial appearances.

Related Words

Related: 見栄(みえ) (show, pretense)
general
Added 2026.1.19 12:30 · Revised 2026.1.24 23:24
07000/07291_kyoeishin