Meaning
自私 describes a person who thinks only of themselves and their own interests, ignoring or disregarding the needs and feelings of others. It's formed from 自 (self) and 私 (private/personal), literally meaning 'self-private' or concerned only with one's own private interests.
Usage
自私 carries a negative connotation and is used to criticize someone's behavior or character. It commonly appears in phrases like '很自私' (very selfish) or '自私的人' (selfish person). Native speakers often use it when discussing relationships, ethics, or character flaws.
Examples
- 01他太自私了，从来不考虑别人的感受。, .He's too selfish and never considers other people's feelings.
- 02做人不能太自私，要学会为别人着想。, .You can't be too selfish as a person; you need to learn to think of others.
Characters
Common collocations
- 自私自利selfish and self-serving
- 很自私very selfish
- 自私的人selfish person
- 自私的行为selfish behavior
Antonyms
Origin
The combination of 自 (self) and 私 (private/personal) creates a compound that emphasizes exclusive concern for one's own interests. 私 originally meant 'private' but developed the negative sense of 'selfish' when combined with 自.