自私
zìsī
The Chinese word for selfish is 自私 (zìsī).
自私 is used to describe someone who has regard for their own well-being above that of others. If you want to describe selfishness as a formal ideology, use 利己主义. For a more common and formal way to describe someone who is extremely selfish or driven solely by personal gain, use the idiom 自私自利. In informal speech, you can use 只顾自己 to suggest that someone only cares about themselves.
Meaning: having regard for one's own well-being above that of others (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
When using 自私 as an attributive adjective to modify a noun, such as in 'a selfish person', you should add 的 after the word to form 自私的.
How do you pronounce it?
zìsī
Did you know?
- In classical texts, the word 私 didn't just mean 'private' but often implied 'unfairness' or 'bias' in the exercise of power.
- In Chinese culture, calling someone 自私 is often perceived as a severe moral condemnation rather than a mild personality critique.
- The character 私 in 自私 originally referred to 'private' or 'personal' matters, but in many contexts, it can also mean 'clandestine' or 'secret' affairs.
Examples in context
- 别那么自私。Don't be so selfish.This sentence shows how to tell someone not to be so selfish using 自私.Tatoeba #5812180 by AlbadeG, translation #5812052 by CK
- 我沒有想要自私。I didn't mean to be selfish.This sentence shows how to express that one did not intend to be selfish using 自私.Tatoeba #13138217 by LeviHighway, translation #2155929 by CM
- 我觉得她有点自私。It seems to me that she is a little selfish.This sentence shows how to express an opinion that someone is a little selfish using 自私.Tatoeba #8709233 by crescat, translation #249993 by CM
- 他对别人的需求从不关心，只顾自己。He never cares about others' needs, only about himself.
- 你的自利行为伤害了许多人的感情。Your selfish behavior has hurt many people's feelings.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are arguing about sharing a snack.
- 梓涵 Zihan你把零食都吃了，太自私了！Nǐ bǎ língshí dōu chī le, tài zìsī le!You ate all the snacks, you're so selfish!
- 志强 Zhiqiang我不是故意的，我太饿了。Wǒ bùshì gùyì de, wǒ tài è le.I didn't do it on purpose, I was too hungry.
- 梓涵 Zihan你应该考虑一下我的感受。Nǐ yīnggāi kǎolǜ yīxià wǒ de gǎnshòu.You should think about my feelings.
- 志强 Zhiqiang对不起，梓涵，下次我买给你。Duìbùqǐ, Zǐhán, xiàcì wǒ mǎi gěi nǐ.I'm sorry, Zihan, I'll buy some for you next time.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
