How to say "selfishness" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 勝手かってnoun, na-adjectiveSelfishness as doing as one pleases for one's own convenience, without regard for others. The natural word for complaining that someone is acting on their own and disregarding the people around them.
- 私心ししんnounSelfishness as a motive: private interest lying behind a person's actions or decisions, in contrast with public-mindedness. Suited to discussing why someone acts rather than labeling their character.
- 自分勝手じぶんかってnoun, na-adjectiveSelf-centeredness as a character trait: a person who puts themselves first and ignores others' feelings or convenience. The direct way to call someone selfish when criticizing their behavior.
- 打算ださんnoun, suru verb, transitive verbSelfishness as cold calculation of one's own gain and loss, rather than action from principle or feeling. It points to calculated self-interest, not simple self-centeredness.
- 利己主義りこしゅぎnounEgoism as a principle or stance: the attitude of putting one's own interests above everything else. Use it for the 'ism' itself, a doctrine or outlook, rather than for a single selfish act.
Use 勝手 or 自分勝手 for everyday self-centered behavior, 私心 for selfish motives as opposed to public-mindedness, 打算 for calculated self-interest, and 利己主義 for egoism as a stance or principle.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 勝手かってone's own convenience
- 私心ししんselfishness
- 自分勝手じぶんかってselfishness
- 打算ださんcalculation
- 利己主義りこしゅぎegoism
- 好き勝手すきかってdoing whatever one pleases
- 我欲がよくselfishness
- 欲得よくとくselfishness
- 我情がじょうselfishness
- 自己中心じこちゅうしんselfishness
- 自己中じこちゅうselfishness
- 利己心りこしんegoism
- 自己本位じこほんいself-centeredness
- 自家本位じかほんいself-centeredness
- 自分本位じぶんほんいself-centeredness
- 私わたくしselfishness
- 個人主義こじんしゅぎegoism
- 私意しいselfishness
See also
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
