സ്വാർത്ഥൻ
swarthan
The English word 'selfish' can be translated into Malayalam as സ്വാർത്ഥൻ (swarthan).
The term refers to someone who has regard for their own well-being above that of others.
Meaning: having regard for one's own well-being above that of others (adj)
Which one should you use?
While സ്വാർത്ഥൻ is used as a noun meaning 'a selfish person', the adjective സ്വാർത്ഥതയുള്ള is used to describe a person's character within a sentence.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun form for 'selfishness' is സ്വാർത്ഥത.
How do you pronounce it?
swarthan
Did you know?
- If you call someone സ്വാർത്ഥൻ in a formal setting, it is a much heavier social accusation than simply calling someone 'selfish' in English, as it strikes at their moral character.
- The word സ്വാർത്ഥൻ is derived from the Sanskrit word svārtha, where sva means 'self' and artha means 'purpose' or 'meaning'.
- The concept of സ്വാർത്ഥത is often contrasted in Malayalam literature with the concept of 'pararthartham', which is the noble act of living for others.
Examples in context
- അവർ സ്വാർത്ഥികളാണ് (avar svārthikāḷāṇ)They are selfish.
- അവൻ ഒരു സ്വാർത്ഥൻ ആണ്.avan oru swarthan aanu.He is a selfish man.
Example conversation
Two friends are arguing about sharing a snack.
- വിഷ്ണു Vishnuഎല്ലാം എനിക്ക് തന്നേക്കൂ.ellām enikku thannēkkū.Just give it all to me.
- അഞ്ജലി Anjaliവിഷ്ണു, നീ ഒരു സ്വാർത്ഥൻ ആണ്.Viṣṇu, nī oru swārthan āṇu.Vishnu, you are a selfish person.
- വിഷ്ണു Vishnuഅത് അങ്ങനെ അല്ല അഞ്ജലി.athu angane alla Anjali.It is not like that, Anjali.
- അഞ്ജലി Anjaliനമുക്ക് ഇത് പങ്കിട്ടു കഴിക്കാം.namukku ithu paṅkiṭṭu kazhikkām.Let's share and eat this.
