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 be very vain.

虚栄(きょえい)を捨(す)てて、身(み)の丈(たけ)に合(あ)った暮(く)らしをする。

To give up vanity and live within one's means.

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")

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 (the everyday way to say this; 虚栄(きょえい) itself is mostly written, and most often seen in 虚栄(きょえい)心(しん))
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 2026.10.3 3:37

09000/09464_kyoei