わがまま
The English phrase 'selfishness' is expressed in Japanese as わがまま.
わがまま refers to selfishness or self-centeredness. While it conveys the quality of being selfish, it is frequently used colloquially to describe someone being 'spoiled' or 'acting like a child' who wants their own way.
Meaning: quality of being selfish (noun)
Which one should you use?
わがまま is typically used to describe a person's personality or behavior, often within a social or interpersonal context. In contrast, 利己主義 is a more formal, academic or philosophical term for 'egoism' or 'self-interest'. Additionally, わがまま放題 can be used to signify 'doing as one pleases'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun わがまま functions as a na-adjective when used to describe a person or behavior, taking the form わがままな (selfish). You can also turn it into an adverb meaning 'selfishly' by adding the particle に, resulting in わがままに.
Did you know?
- The phrase わがまま can be used to describe not just people, but also the weather or an unpredictable situation that does not cooperate with one's plans.
- The expression わがまま放題 (wagamama-houdai) uses the suffix 放題, which is the same one used in 'all-you-can-eat' restaurant names.
- The word わがまま is a combination of 我が meaning 'my' and まま meaning 'as it is' or 'in a state of'.
Examples in context
- 誰もあの人と付き合いたがらないのは、あの人がわがままだからです。It is because of his selfishness that no one wants to associate with him.This sentence shows how a person's わがまま can affect their social relationships.Tatoeba #136715 by bunbuku, translation #276521 by CK
- お客さんって基本わがままと思ってはいるけど、重なるとつらいですね。I think customers are basically selfish, but if their selfishness continues, then it is unbearable.This sentence uses わがまま to describe the behavior of customers.Tatoeba #6742211 by jmdesp, translation #8871927 by pia29
- 彼は自己中心的な人です。He is a self-centered person.
- 彼女の行動はわがままだ。Her behavior is selfish.
- この人は利己的で他人の気持ちがわかっていない。This person is selfish and doesn't understand others' feelings.
- 子供の頃は、とてもわがままだった。kodomo no koro wa, totemo wagamama datta.I was very selfish when I was a child.
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki are discussing a mutual friend's behavior.
- 蓮 Ren彼はいつも自分のことばかり考えているね。Kare wa itsumo jibun no koto bakari kangaete iru ne.He is always thinking only about himself.
- 美咲 Misaki本当に。彼のわがままにはもう疲れたよ。Hontō ni. Kare no wagamama ni wa mō tsukareta yo.Really. I'm exhausted by his selfishness.
- 蓮 Ren少しは周りの人の気持ちを考えてほしいな。Sukoshi wa mawari no hito no kimochi o kangaete hoshii na.I wish he would think about other people's feelings a bit.
- 美咲 Misakiそうだね。正直、もう付き合いきれないよ。Sō da ne. Shōjiki, mō tsukiaikirenai yo.I agree. Honestly, I can't deal with him anymore.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
