Maddies Manga

Have you ever desired something so strongly that the feeling enveloped your whole body Almost like you were wearing a “pelt of greed”? Today we’re going to learn how to describe that feeling in Japanese!

The phrase is: 欲の皮が張る

Sometimes you may also see it written as: 欲の皮が突っ張る

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The Kanji and their meanings

欲の皮が張る is a set phrase, consisting of three Kanji characters.

• 欲・to want, desire
• 皮・pelt, skin, leather
• 張・to stretch, to spread

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When to use 欲の皮が張る in a sentence

• When you want something so badly that you’re exasperated
• When you feel desire so strongly that you do something you may otherwise not do
• When you desire something desperately

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Sample sentences using 欲の皮が張る

** The English translations are more on the literal side for easier comprehension **

English: I worry about whether she won’t fall for a scam (because she’s desperate).

Hiragana only: よくの　かわが　はる　かのじょは、さぎに　あわないか　しんぱいだ。

Japanese: 欲の皮が張る彼女は、詐欺に遭わないか心配だ。

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English: When you want something badly enough, you’ll easily do things you normally wouldn’t.

Hiragana only: よくの　かわが　はると、ふだん　やらない　ことは　かんたんに　やってしまう。

Japanese: 欲の皮が張ると、普段やらないことは簡単にやってしまう。

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English: You never know what a desperate person will do.

Hiragana only: よくの　かわが　はる　ひとは、なにを　しでかすか　わからない。

Japanese: 欲の皮が張る人は、何をしでかすか分からない。

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English: You must not trust his words (because he’s desperate for something and will say anything to get it)

Hiragana only: よくの　かわが　はる　かれの　ことばを　しんじちゃ　だめ。

Japanese: 欲の皮が張る彼の言葉を信じちゃダメ。