虚 栄(きょえい)

きょえい

noun

vanity, vainglory

1. vanity, vainglory

The quality of seeking praise and admiration through empty displays of wealth, status, or accomplishments. Implies a hollow pride based on external appearances rather than substance.

虚栄(きょえい)心(しん)が強(つよ)い。

To have strong vanity.

虚栄(きょえい)を張(は)る。

To put on airs / to show off.

虚栄(きょえい)のために借金(しゃっきん)してまでブランド品(ひん)を買(か)う。

To go into debt for vanity's sake to buy brand-name goods.

虚栄(きょえい)に満(み)ちた生活(せいかつ)は空(むな)しい。

A life full of vanity is empty.

虚栄(きょえい) combines 虚(きょ) (empty, hollow) and 栄(えい) (glory, flourishing), expressing the idea of hollow glory or empty pride.

Key expressions

虚栄(きょえい)心(しん) (vanity - literally "vain heart")
虚栄(きょえい)を張(は)る (to put on airs, show off)

Characteristics

Negative connotation
Often criticizes superficial concern with appearances
Associated with showing off wealth, status, or achievements

Related words

見栄(みえ): vanity, show, appearance
見栄(みえ)を張(は)る: to put on a show
虚勢(きょせい): bluff, bravado
プライド: pride (neutral)

Related Words

Compare: 虚飾(きょしょく) (vanity)

general

Added 2026.2.2 0:18 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

09000/09464_kyoei