եսասեր
yesaser
The English adjective 'selfish' is translated into Armenian as եսասեր (yesaser).
The term is used to describe someone who prioritizes their own well-being or interests above those of others.
Meaning: having regard for one's own well-being above that of others (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word եսասեր is a compound of ես, meaning 'I' or 'self' and սեր, meaning 'love', so it literally translates to 'self-loving'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the noun 'selfishness', you can add the suffix '-ություն' to the adjective to form եսասերություն.
How do you pronounce it?
yesaser
Did you know?
- Armenian often uses the concept of 'love' to build adjectives for character flaws, a pattern that makes 'selfish' feel like an excess of a positive emotion rather than a lack of a virtue.
- Historically, in Armenian religious texts, the idea behind եսասեր was not just a social rudeness but a warning against the specific sin of pride.
- Because սեր means 'love', describing a person as եսասեր can sound to an Armenian ear as if they are describing a person's profound, almost poetic, preoccupation with themselves.
Examples in context
- Թոմը եսասեր մարդ է։Tom is a selfish man.This sentence shows how to describe someone as a selfish man using եսասեր.Tatoeba #14052137 by Proxima5, translation #5584590 by CK
- Դու շատ եսասեր մարդ ես։You're a very selfish person.This sentence uses եսասեր to describe a person as being very selfish.Tatoeba #13047852 by Proxima5, translation #6261704 by CK
- Դուք պետք է սովորեք, թե ինչպես սկսել եսասեր լինել:You need to learn how to start being selfish.This sentence demonstrates the use of եսասեր in the context of learning how to be selfish.Tatoeba #12416095 by Proxima5, translation #11543650 by Amastan
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nane and Levon are discussing a mutual friend's behavior.
- Նանե NaneԱռաջինը նա միայն իր մասին է մտածում։Arrajiny na miayn ir masin e mtatsum.First of all, he only thinks about himself.
- Լևոն LevonԱյո, նա իրոք շատ եսասեր է։Ayo, na irok shat yesaser e.Yes, he really is very selfish.
- Նանե NaneԴա իր ընկերների համար շատ դժվար է։Da ir ynkerneri hamar shat dzhvar e.That is very difficult for his friends.
- Լևոն LevonՀամաձյամ եմ, դա տհարող է։Hamadzyam em, da tharogh e.I agree, it is disappointing.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
