Is there a word meaning positive envy in English? [duplicate]

Solution 1:

Technically “Envy” is a feeling of discontent and resentment based on someone else's possessions, abilities, or status. “Covet” is wishing, longing, or craving for something that belongs to someone else. “Jealous” is more commonly used as opposed to “envious” However, misinterpretations can still be made. I recommend adding context

Examples:

“that’s great that happened to you! I’m “jealous” “You got a new job? That’s great, I “envy” you

https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/jealous-vs-envious

Solution 2:

envy should not be confused with jealousy. envy may be positive. The Cambridge dictionary has meanings similar to

envy = the feeling that you wish you had something that someone else has

Cambridge dictionary

This is not a negative verb. To say “I envy her good fortune” simply says that you wish for good fortune like hers. It is not to say “I am jealous of her good fortune”.

Jealous = unhappy and angry because someone has something that you want:

Cambridge dictionary

I conclude that you may use envy but that you should pay careful attention to context, particularly in circumstances where envy might be confused with jealousy, covetousness, admiration or esteem.

Solution 3:

Aspiration/Aspire is an unoffensive, but uncommon choice.

I aspire to your level of success.

It's uncommon partly because there are briefer (or slangier and richer) ways to say the same thing:

I'm following your example.

I want to do what you're doing! (slangy)

Inspire can also be used to great effect, although the meaning shifts a bit:

He was inspired by Mark Zuckerberg' example to drop out of college to start a company.

When you are directly confronting another person about how you feel about their success, I believe the biggest way to avoid negative meaning is to suitably respect their hard work, or their fortune.

Congratulations on your promotion! Just you wait, I'll have a corner office, too! (mild teasing, so depends on the relationship)

Dude, you're lucky! I wish I could have that. (slangy, and calling someone lucky is risky if they've worked hard for it.)

Even exaggerating the level of your envy in a comical way can (counter-intuitively) come across as positive. If your envy inspires you to become more productive (for example), then the envy itself is a genuine compliment: it shows that not only is their success obvious to you, but it's also meaningful to you.

Importantly, I'm giving examples that only work in certain contexts, and are how I might convey this meaning, but it really depends on your personality how you want to say this. I hope my examples are at least informative, if not directly usable.

Solution 4:

The correct answer to the question is one that is non-negative, that of holding high regard for the others accomplishments with the hope or dream of matching them. The term is Admiration to think highly of another and with the best of motives envy the bejesus out of them.