How to say "selfless" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 無私むしno-adjective, na-adjectiveCovers the core sense of 'selfless': unselfish and disinterested, free of self-interest. This is the common word and the natural default when describing someone acting without regard for personal gain.
- 没我的ぼつがてきna-adjectiveAlso glossed 'selfless', but with a self-effacing nuance — erasing one's own ego or presence. It is less common, so learners should treat it as a secondary option rather than the everyday word for 'selfless'.
Use 無私 for the straightforward sense of unselfish and disinterested; 没我的 covers a more literally self-effacing flavor and is a less common choice for 'selfless'.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
