이기적이다

The Korean word 이기적이다 is the standard way to describe someone who is selfish. It comes from the Sino-Korean root 이기 (利己), which literally translates to 'benefit self'.

When you use this word, you are highlighting that a person is acting in a way that ignores the feelings or needs of others. It is a very common word used in daily life to describe behavior that feels unfair or inconsiderate.

Think of it as the opposite of being selfless or altruistic. Whether you are talking about a friend who never shares their snacks or a coworker who takes all the credit, 이기적이다 is the perfect adjective to use.

The word 이기적이다 is rooted in Classical Chinese characters (Hanja). The first part is 利 (이), meaning 'benefit' or 'advantage', and the second is 己 (기), meaning 'oneself'.

Historically, this concept has been debated by philosophers for centuries. The term evolved to describe the human tendency to seek self-preservation, which is a natural instinct, but it became a negative descriptor when that instinct overrides social cooperation.

In the modern Korean language, it functions as a descriptive adjective. It is fascinating how a simple two-character concept can capture such a complex human trait that is recognized in almost every culture and language around the world.

You will hear 이기적이다 used frequently in both casual and formal settings. It is often paired with nouns like 사람 (person) or 행동 (behavior).

In a casual setting, you might say '그는 너무 이기적이야' (He is so selfish). In more formal contexts, you might describe an action as '이기적인 태도' (a selfish attitude).

Be careful when using this word, as it is a strong criticism. Calling someone selfish can easily hurt their feelings or start an argument, so it is often used when someone is truly frustrated by another person's lack of consideration.

While there aren't many fixed idioms using this exact word, it is often used in set phrases. 1. 이기주의자 (Egoist): A person who is fundamentally selfish. 2. 이기적인 선택 (Selfish choice): A decision made only for oneself. 3. 이기심을 버리다 (To cast aside selfishness): To become more considerate. 4. 이기적일 정도로 ~하다 (To be selfishly ~): Used to emphasize intensity. 5. 이기적인 사랑 (Selfish love): A relationship where one person takes more than they give.

As an adjective, 이기적이다 can be conjugated in many ways. You can use it as 이기적인 (the attributive form) before a noun, or 이기적이라서 (because it is selfish).

The pronunciation is straightforward: [이-기-저-기-다]. Make sure to enunciate the 'jeok' clearly. It rhymes loosely with other Sino-Korean adjectives ending in '-적이다' like 비판적이다 (critical) or 경제적이다 (economical).

There is no plural form because it is an adjective, not a noun. Just remember that it describes a state of being, so it usually follows a subject marker like 은/는 or 이/가.