自私
The English word 'selfish' is translated into Mandarin as 自私.
The term 自私 is the most general and widely used word for 'selfish' in Mandarin. In natural speech, the adjective is often paired with 太 (tài) … 了 (le) to express the sentiment that someone is 'too selfish', resulting in 太自私了.
Meaning: having regard for one's own well-being above that of others (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 自私 is composed of two parts: 自 meaning 'self' and 私 meaning 'private' or 'personal'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an attributive adjective before a noun, such as 'a selfish person', you should add 的 to form 自私的 (for example, 自私的 人).
Did you know?
- If you describe a person's motives as 私心的, you are saying they have a 'selfish heart', a common way to suggest a hidden, ulterior motive in a conversation.
- While 自私 describes a personality trait, the phrase 自私自利 (zì sī zì lì) is a common four-character idiom that adds the idea of 'seeking profit for oneself'.
- The character 私 in 自私 originally referred to 'private' or 'personal' matters, but in ancient Confucian philosophy, it was often contrasted with 公, meaning 'public' or 'the common good'.
Examples in context
- 别那么自私。Don't be so selfish.This sentence is useful for telling 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 is useful for expressing that one did not mean 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 is useful for expressing an opinion that someone is a little selfish using 自私.Tatoeba #8709233 by crescat, translation #249993 by CM
- 他很自私。He is very selfish.
- 她的行为完全是出于利己主义。Her actions are entirely driven by egoism.
- 他就是个自私自利的人。He is a selfish and self-serving person.
- 你怎么那么只顾自己？Why are you so self-centered?
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a person's behavior at a party.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen他真的很自私。Tā zhēnde hěn zìsī.He is really selfish.
- 伟 Wei对，他只顾着自己。Duì, tā zhǐ gùzhe zìjǐ.Yes, he only cares about himself.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen他不肯分享食物。Tā bù kěn fēnxiǎng shíwù.He refuses to share food.
- 伟 Wei太让人失望了。Tài ràng rén shīwàng le.That is so disappointing.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
