物欲(ぶつよく)

ぶつよく
noun
desire for material things, materialism
emotion
1. desire for material things, materialism
The desire to acquire and possess material goods. Often used with a mildly negative or self-aware nuance, suggesting excessive attachment to possessions.
物欲(ぶつよく)が強(つよ)い。
To have a strong desire for material things.
最近(さいきん)、物欲(ぶつよく)がなくなってきた。
Lately, I've lost my desire for material things.
年(とし)をとるにつれて物欲(ぶつよく)が減(へ)り、経験(けいけん)にお金(かね)を使(つか)うようになった。
As I've gotten older, my desire for material things has decreased, and I've started spending money on experiences instead.

Usage

Commonly discussed in the context of personal values, minimalism, and consumer culture. The expression 物欲(ぶつよく)がない (to have no desire for material things) is often used as a self-description, sometimes as a humble brag. 物欲(ぶつよく)が強(つよ)い (to have strong material desires) is used self-deprecatingly or to describe others.

Writing

物(ぶつ) (things, objects) + 欲(よく) (desire, craving). A straightforward compound meaning "desire for things."

Common collocations

  • 物欲(ぶつよく)が強(つよ)い: to have strong material desires
  • 物欲(ぶつよく)がない: to have no desire for possessions
  • 物欲(ぶつよく)を抑(おさ)える: to suppress material desires
  • 物欲(ぶつよく)センサー: "material desire sensor" (slang for spotting things you want to buy)

Related Words

Related: 欲(よく) (desire, greed)
general
Added 2026.2.25 23:01 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
13500/13533_butsuyoku