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A1 adjective #3,500 am häufigsten 9 Min. Lesezeit

egoísta

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Erklärung egoísta in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'egoísta' as a basic adjective to describe people. It is one of the first personality words you will encounter because it is very common in daily life. You should know that it means 'selfish' and that it doesn't change between 'he' and 'she'. At this stage, focus on simple sentences like 'Mi hermano es egoísta' (My brother is selfish) or 'No seas egoísta' (Don't be selfish). You will mostly hear it in the context of sharing things like food, toys, or money. It is a useful word for describing why you might not like a character in a story or why a situation feels unfair. Remember the accent on the 'i' so you pronounce it correctly as 'eh-go-EES-tah'.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'egoísta' to describe more complex social situations. You can start using it with the verb 'estar' to describe temporary behavior ('Estás siendo egoísta hoy' - You are being selfish today). You should also be able to use it as a noun ('El egoísta' - The selfish man). You will learn to compare it with other adjectives like 'generoso' (generous) or 'simpático' (nice). At this level, you might also encounter the noun form 'el egoísmo' (selfishness). You should be able to write short paragraphs about a person's character using 'egoísta' among other descriptors. You will also start to see it in simple reading passages about family relationships or school scenarios.

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At the B1 level, you can use 'egoísta' in more nuanced ways, such as in the subjunctive mood or with conditional sentences. For example: 'No me gusta que seas tan egoísta' (I don't like that you are so selfish). You will understand the difference between 'egoísta' and 'tacaño' (stingy) and be able to explain the difference in Spanish. You'll use the word to discuss social issues, such as environmental protection or community service, where 'intereses egoístas' (selfish interests) are often a topic. Your vocabulary will expand to include related adverbs like 'egoístamente' (selfishly). You should be comfortable using the word in debates and when giving opinions on movies or books.

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At the B2 level, 'egoísta' becomes part of your more sophisticated toolkit for psychological and sociological discussion. You will use it to analyze character motivations in literature and film. You can discuss 'el egoísmo racional' (rational selfishness) or 'el egoísmo ético' (ethical egoism) in a basic philosophical context. You will be familiar with common idioms and phrases that imply selfishness without using the word itself, and you'll know how to use 'egoísta' to add emphasis to your arguments. You will also recognize the word in formal news reports and academic texts. At this level, you should be able to use the word with precision, distinguishing it from 'egocéntrico' or 'narcisista'.

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At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the cultural and literary connotations of 'egoísta'. You can use it in high-level academic writing and formal presentations. You will understand how the word functions in different registers, from street slang to legal or psychological terminology. You can analyze the etymology of the word and how its usage has evolved in Spanish literature from the Golden Age to the present. You will be able to use the word in complex sentence structures, such as: 'Su conducta, si bien pragmática, no deja de ser profundamente egoísta en su esencia' (His conduct, while pragmatic, remains deeply selfish in its essence). You will also be aware of regional variations in how selfishness is described and perceived across the Spanish-speaking world.

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At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of 'egoísta' and its place in the Spanish language. You can use it with absolute precision in any context, including philosophical treatises, political manifestos, or nuanced literary criticism. You understand the subtle play between 'egoísta' and its synonyms in various dialects of Spanish. You can use the word to create irony, sarcasm, or profound emotional impact in your writing and speech. You are familiar with the most obscure idioms related to selfishness and can explain the historical and social reasons why certain behaviors are labeled as 'egoístas' in specific Hispanic cultures. You can participate in complex debates about human nature, altruism, and the 'egoísta' genes with total fluency.

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egoísta in 30 Sekunden

Egoísta means selfish. It is used for someone who prioritizes their own interests over others and refuses to share.
It is an invariable adjective, meaning it ends in -a for both masculine and feminine nouns (Él es egoísta, Ella es egoísta).
Commonly used with 'ser' for personality traits and 'estar' for temporary behavior. The plural form is 'egoístas'.
It is a strong social criticism in Spanish-speaking cultures, often contrasted with 'generoso' (generous) or 'altruista' (altruistic).

The Spanish adjective egoísta is a direct cognate of the English word 'selfish.' It describes a person who prioritizes their own interests, desires, or well-being above those of others, often to an extent that is considered unfair or unkind. In Spanish-speaking cultures, which often place a high value on collectivism, family, and community (solidaridad), being labeled as egoísta carries a significant social weight. It is not merely a description of a personality trait but often a moral judgment on one's social contribution and empathy.

Core Concept: The fundamental idea is a lack of willingness to share—whether that be physical objects, time, or emotional energy.
Social Context: Used frequently in domestic arguments, discussions about politics, or when describing the behavior of children who haven't yet learned the value of sharing.

One of the most important grammatical features of egoísta is that it is an adjective of 'one termination.' This means that unlike many Spanish adjectives that change from -o to -a depending on the gender of the noun they describe, egoísta ends in -a for both masculine and feminine subjects. For example, you would say 'Él es egoísta' and 'Ella es egoísta.' Attempting to say 'egoísto' is a very common mistake for English speakers, but it does not exist in the Spanish language.

No seas egoísta y comparte tus juguetes con tu hermana menor.

Don't be selfish and share your toys with your younger sister.

In literature and media, the personaje egoísta is a staple archetype. Whether it is the greedy antagonist in a telenovela or the protagonist who must undergo a journey of self-discovery to become more altruistic, the word serves as a catalyst for character development. The term is also heavily used in philosophical debates regarding human nature, specifically whether humans are inherently egoístas or altruistas.

Nuance: Egoísta vs. Egocéntrico: While an egoísta person wants everything for themselves, an egocéntrico person simply believes they are the center of the universe. One is about possession and interest, the other about perspective and attention.

Es un comportamiento puramente egoísta que ignora el bienestar común del equipo.

It is a purely selfish behavior that ignores the common well-being of the team.

Using egoísta correctly involves understanding its placement, its role as a noun, and the verbs that typically accompany it. In Spanish, adjectives usually follow the noun they modify, but their position can change for stylistic emphasis. However, with egoísta, it almost always follows the noun in standard descriptive speech: 'un niño egoísta' (a selfish child).

With the Verb 'Ser': Used to describe a permanent character trait. 'Juan es egoísta' implies that Juan is a selfish person by nature.
With the Verb 'Estar': Used to describe a temporary state or specific behavior. 'Estás siendo egoísta' means 'You are being selfish right now,' even if you aren't usually like that.

The word can also function as a noun. When you add a definite or indefinite article before it, it refers to the person themselves. 'El egoísta siempre termina solo' (The selfish person always ends up alone). This is a very common way to use the word in proverbs and general observations about life.

No quiero parecer egoísta, pero necesito este tiempo para mí mismo.

I don't want to seem selfish, but I need this time for myself.

In terms of intensity, you can modify egoísta with adverbs like 'muy' (very), 'sumamente' (extremely), or 'un poco' (a little bit). Interestingly, in Spanish, we often use the superlative suffix '-ísimo' to emphasize the trait: 'Es egoístísima' (She is extremely selfish). Note that while the base word is 'egoísta', the superlative becomes 'egoístísimo' or 'egoístísima' depending on the gender, following standard superlative rules.

Esa es una visión muy egoísta de la situación económica actual.

That is a very selfish view of the current economic situation.

Plural Form: The plural is 'egoístas'. 'Ellos son egoístas' (They are selfish). The accent remains on the 'í'.

You will encounter egoísta in a wide variety of settings, from the most intimate family gatherings to the most formal academic lectures. In the domestic sphere, it is a word often heard during conflicts. Parents might use it to correct their children's behavior, or partners might use it during an argument about household chores or emotional support. It is a word that cuts deep because it attacks the person's character and their ability to love and care for others.

¡Qué egoísta eres! Solo piensas en ti.

How selfish you are! You only think about yourself.

In the world of Spanish-language entertainment, specifically telenovelas, 'egoísta' is a keyword. The 'villana' (female villain) is frequently described as ambiciosa y egoísta. These shows often revolve around the conflict between a selfless, suffering protagonist and a selfish, manipulative antagonist. Listening for this word in pop culture will help you understand the emotional weight it carries.

In the Workplace: Colleagues might use it behind someone's back if they refuse to help with a project or take all the credit for a team effort. 'No seas egoísta con la información' (Don't be selfish with the information).

In news and politics, the word is used to criticize policies that benefit the wealthy at the expense of the poor or countries that act only in their own national interest without considering global consequences. You might hear a news anchor talk about 'intereses egoístas' (selfish interests) when reporting on a scandal or a controversial law.

La sociedad actual se está volviendo cada vez más egoísta e individualista.

Current society is becoming increasingly selfish and individualistic.

Finally, you will find it in literature, especially in fables and moral stories. From Aesop's fables translated into Spanish to modern novels, the theme of overcoming egoísmo is universal. In these contexts, the word is used to explore the human condition and the struggle between our primal instincts and our social responsibilities.

The most frequent mistake learners make with egoísta is related to gender agreement. Because the word ends in '-a', many students assume it is exclusively feminine and try to create a masculine version ending in '-o' (egoísto). This is incorrect. Adjectives ending in '-ista' (like optimista, pesimista, realista, and egoísta) are invariable in gender. They are the same for 'él' and 'ella'.

Mistake #1: Gender Over-correction: Incorrect: 'Él es muy egoísto.'
Correct: 'Él es muy egoísta.'
Mistake #2: Missing the Accent: Incorrect: 'egoista'
Correct: 'egoísta'. Without the accent on the 'í', the pronunciation would change, and it would be a spelling error.

Another common error is confusing egoísta with egoísmo. Egoísta is the adjective (selfish), while egoísmo is the noun (selfishness). You cannot say 'Él tiene mucho egoísta'; you must say 'Él es muy egoísta' or 'Él tiene mucho egoísmo'. Understanding the part of speech is vital for sentence structure.

No confundas el amor propio con ser egoísta.

Don't confuse self-love with being selfish.

Learners also sometimes confuse egoísta with tacaño. While they can overlap, they are not the same. A tacaño is specifically stingy with money (a miser), whereas an egoísta is selfish in a broader sense, including their time, feelings, and actions. You can be generous with money but still be egoísta if you always want things done your way.

Es un error pensar que todos los niños son egoístas por naturaleza.

It is a mistake to think that all children are selfish by nature.

Mistake #3: Usage with 'Hacer': English speakers might try to say 'hacer egoísta' for 'to make selfish.' In Spanish, it's usually 'volver egoísta' (to turn selfish) or 'hacerse egoísta' (to become selfish).

While egoísta is the most common word for 'selfish,' Spanish offers several synonyms and related terms that provide more specific nuances. Choosing the right word can make your Spanish sound more natural and precise.

Egocéntrico/a: Egocentric. Someone who thinks everything revolves around them. They might not be intentionally mean, but they are oblivious to others.
Tacaño/a: Stingy or cheap. This is specifically about money and material possessions. An egoísta might spend money on you just to look good, but a tacaño won't spend it at all.
Mezquino/a: Mean-spirited or petty. This is a much harsher word than egoísta. It implies a lack of nobility and a desire to see others fail.
Individualista: Individualistic. This can be neutral or even positive in some contexts. It describes someone who prefers to act alone or values personal freedom over group conformity.

No es que sea egoísta, simplemente es muy independiente.

It's not that he's selfish, he's just very independent.

In slang, you might hear different words depending on the country. In some places, 'agarrado' (clutched) is used for someone who is stingy/selfish with their belongings. In Mexico, 'codo' (elbow) is a very common slang term for a stingy person (tacaño), which is a specific type of egoísmo.

Fue un acto egoísta que destruyó la confianza de la familia.

It was a selfish act that destroyed the family's trust.

Comparison: Egoísta vs. Narcisista: Narcisista is a more clinical or extreme term. While an egoísta wants the last piece of cake, a narcisista needs everyone to tell them they are the most beautiful person eating the cake.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The suffix '-ista' is one of the most productive in Spanish for creating words that describe both professions (taxista, dentista) and personality types (optimista, egoísta).

Aussprachehilfe

UK /eɡoˈista/

US /eɡoʊˈistə/

The stress is on the third syllable: e-go-ÍS-ta.

Reimt sich auf

Altruista Optimista Pesimista Realista Artista Dentista Turista Revista

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing it as 'eh-GO-is-ta' (stressing the 'go' instead of the 'í').
Failing to break the diphthong between 'o' and 'i'.
Pronouncing the 't' with a heavy English aspiration (it should be a soft Spanish 't').
Shortening the 'í' sound.
Adding an 'o' at the end for men (egoísto).

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 1/5

Easy to recognize as it is a cognate of 'egoist' and 'selfishness' roots.

Schreiben 2/5

The accent on the 'í' and the invariable gender ending 'a' require attention.

Sprechen 2/5

Properly stressing the 'í' and avoiding 'egoísto' are the main challenges.

Hören 1/5

Clear pronunciation makes it easy to hear in context.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

Yo Mío Bueno Malo Persona

Als Nächstes lernen

Generoso Tacaño Compartir Sentimiento Personalidad

Fortgeschritten

Altruismo Egocentrismo Mezquindad Solidaridad Filantropía

Wichtige Grammatik

Adjectives ending in -ista

Egoísta, optimista, realista (all use -a for both genders).

Breaking diphthongs with accents

The 'í' in egoísta ensures the 'o' and 'i' are separate syllables.

Substantivizing adjectives

Adding 'el' or 'la' makes it a noun: 'El egoísta'.

Superlative suffix -ísimo

Egoísta -> Egoístísimo (Note: here it does change for gender: egoístísima).

Placement of adjectives

Usually follows the noun: 'Un hombre egoísta'.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

Juan es un niño egoísta.

Juan is a selfish boy.

Egoísta describes the noun 'niño'.

No seas egoísta con tu comida.

Don't be selfish with your food.

Imperative 'no seas' + adjective.

Ella no es egoísta, es muy buena.

She is not selfish, she is very good.

Negation 'no es' + adjective.

Mi gato es un poco egoísta.

My cat is a little bit selfish.

Adverb 'un poco' modifies the adjective.

Los niños egoístas no tienen amigos.

Selfish children don't have friends.

Plural agreement: niños egoístas.

¿Por qué eres tan egoísta?

Why are you so selfish?

Question form with 'tan' for emphasis.

Es egoísta no compartir.

It is selfish not to share.

Impersonal 'es' + adjective + infinitive.

Pedro es egoísta, pero su hermano es generoso.

Pedro is selfish, but his brother is generous.

Contrast between two adjectives.

Estás siendo egoísta al no ayudar en casa.

You are being selfish by not helping at home.

Present continuous 'estás siendo' for temporary behavior.

El egoísta de mi vecino nunca presta nada.

That selfish neighbor of mine never lends anything.

Used as a noun with 'el'.

Ayer fue muy egoísta conmigo.

Yesterday he was very selfish with me.

Preterite tense 'fue' for a specific past instance.

No me gusta la gente egoísta.

I don't like selfish people.

Adjective modifying 'la gente' (singular collective noun).

Ella siempre ha sido una persona egoísta.

She has always been a selfish person.

Present perfect 'ha sido' for a long-term trait.

Si eres egoísta, nadie te ayudará.

If you are selfish, nobody will help you.

Conditional sentence 'si' + present.

Ese perro es egoísta con su hueso.

That dog is selfish with his bone.

Using 'con' to specify the object of selfishness.

No quiero ser egoísta, pero necesito dormir.

I don't want to be selfish, but I need to sleep.

Infinitive 'ser' after 'querer'.

Espero que no seas tan egoísta en el futuro.

I hope you aren't so selfish in the future.

Subjunctive 'seas' after 'espero que'.

Actuó de manera egoísta sin pensar en nosotros.

He acted in a selfish way without thinking about us.

Adverbial phrase 'de manera egoísta'.

Si no fuera tan egoísta, tendría más amigos.

If he weren't so selfish, he would have more friends.

Imperfect subjunctive 'fuera' in a hypothetical 'si' clause.

Me molesta que mi jefe sea tan egoísta con los créditos.

It bothers me that my boss is so selfish with the credits.

Subjunctive 'sea' after 'me molesta que'.

El egoísmo es un defecto muy común.

Selfishness is a very common flaw.

Noun form 'egoísmo'.

No podemos permitir comportamientos egoístas en este equipo.

We cannot allow selfish behaviors in this team.

Plural adjective modifying 'comportamientos'.

A veces es necesario ser un poco egoísta por salud mental.

Sometimes it is necessary to be a little selfish for mental health.

Impersonal expression 'es necesario'.

Se divorciaron porque él era extremadamente egoísta.

They got divorced because he was extremely selfish.

Imperfect 'era' for description in the past.

Su actitud egoísta ha perjudicado la imagen de la empresa.

His selfish attitude has damaged the company's image.

Adjective modifying 'actitud'.

Resulta egoísta ignorar los problemas globales.

It turns out to be selfish to ignore global problems.

Verb 'resultar' + adjective.

No es egoísta poner límites a los demás.

It is not selfish to set boundaries for others.

Infinitive phrase as subject.

A menudo, el egoísta se disfraza de víctima.

Often, the selfish person disguises themselves as a victim.

Noun use with reflexive verb 'se disfraza'.

Ese político solo busca su beneficio egoísta.

That politician only seeks his selfish benefit.

Adjective 'egoísta' modifying 'beneficio'.

Dudo que ella sea consciente de lo egoísta que es.

I doubt she is aware of how selfish she is.

Subjunctive 'sea' + 'lo + adjective + que'.

Un enfoque egoísta nunca llevará a la paz duradera.

A selfish approach will never lead to lasting peace.

Future tense 'llevará'.

Fue tachado de egoísta por sus propios colegas.

He was branded as selfish by his own colleagues.

Passive construction 'fue tachado de'.

La premisa de la obra es la lucha contra el impulso egoísta.

The play's premise is the struggle against the selfish impulse.

Formal noun phrase 'impulso egoísta'.

Es una falacia creer que todo acto humano es intrínsecamente egoísta.

It is a fallacy to believe that every human act is intrinsically selfish.

Adverb 'intrínsecamente' modifying the adjective.

Bajo esa fachada de altruismo se esconde un ser profundamente egoísta.

Under that facade of altruism hides a deeply selfish being.

Contrast between 'altruismo' and 'egoísta'.

La novela explora las consecuencias de una vida egoísta y solitaria.

The novel explores the consequences of a selfish and lonely life.

Coordinate adjectives 'egoísta y solitaria'.

No debemos confundir el individualismo con el mero capricho egoísta.

We must not confuse individualism with mere selfish whim.

Noun 'capricho' modified by 'egoísta'.

Su negativa a colaborar fue vista como un gesto egoísta y mezquino.

His refusal to collaborate was seen as a selfish and petty gesture.

Synonyms used together for emphasis.

A pesar de su fama de egoísta, realizó donaciones anónimas.

Despite his reputation for being selfish, he made anonymous donations.

Prepositional phrase 'a pesar de'.

El sistema económico actual fomenta una mentalidad egoísta.

The current economic system encourages a selfish mentality.

Verb 'fomentar' + noun phrase.

La dialéctica entre lo común y lo egoísta define la política moderna.

The dialectic between the common and the selfish defines modern politics.

Substantivized adjectives 'lo común' and 'lo egoísta'.

Sería reduccionista tildar su compleja psicología de meramente egoísta.

It would be reductionist to brand his complex psychology as merely selfish.

Conditional 'sería' + adjective 'reduccionista'.

La ontología del ser egoísta ha sido objeto de estudio durante siglos.

The ontology of the selfish being has been a subject of study for centuries.

Philosophical terminology.

Incluso en los actos más heroicos, algunos ven un trasfondo egoísta.

Even in the most heroic acts, some see a selfish background.

Superlative 'más heroicos' and noun 'trasfondo'.

La sociedad se fragmenta ante la prevalencia de intereses egoístas y cortoplacistas.

Society fragments in the face of the prevalence of selfish and short-sighted interests.

Complex noun phrase with multiple adjectives.

Resulta paradójico que un líder tan egoísta logre tal nivel de lealtad.

It is paradoxical that such a selfish leader achieves such a level of loyalty.

Impersonal 'resulta paradójico' + 'que' + subjunctive.

Su narrativa se despoja de cualquier matiz egoísta para abrazar la otredad.

His narrative strips away any selfish nuance to embrace otherness.

Abstract literary language.

El gen egoísta es una teoría que revolucionó nuestra comprensión de la evolución.

The selfish gene is a theory that revolutionized our understanding of evolution.

Scientific reference.

Häufige Kollokationen

Comportamiento egoísta

Intereses egoístas

Persona egoísta

Acto egoísta

Visión egoísta

Motivos egoístas

Mundo egoísta

Ser egoísta

Egoísta y cruel

Egoísta y ambicioso

Häufige Phrasen

No seas egoísta

— A common command telling someone to share or think of others. Used with children and adults.

No seas egoísta, deja que tu hermano juegue también.

Por puro egoísmo

— Doing something strictly for one's own benefit. Emphasizes the lack of other motives.

Lo hizo por puro egoísmo, no le importaba nadie más.

Un egoísta redomado

— An absolute or complete selfish person. 'Redomado' adds intensity.

Es un egoísta redomado, nunca cambiará.

Pecar de egoísta

— To tend towards being selfish or to be 'guilty' of it in a specific instance.

A veces peco de egoísta y no escucho a mis amigos.

El colmo del egoísmo

— The height or peak of selfishness. Used when someone does something incredibly selfish.

¡Esto es el colmo del egoísmo! Te comiste todo el pastel.

Ser un egoísta de mierda

— A very vulgar way to call someone a 'shitty selfish person'. High emotional intensity.

Eres un egoísta de mierda, solo piensas en ti.

Egoísmo sano

— A modern concept of taking care of oneself before helping others. Healthy selfishness.

Practicar el egoísmo sano es vital para no quemarse.

Sin un ápice de egoísmo

— Without a single bit of selfishness. Used to describe very generous acts.

Ayudó a los refugiados sin un ápice de egoísmo.

Interés egoísta

— A selfish interest. Often used in legal or political contexts.

El contrato protegía solo su interés egoísta.

Tachar a alguien de egoísta

— To label or brand someone as selfish.

Lo tacharon de egoísta por no querer compartir su coche.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

egoísta vs Egocéntrico

Egoísta is about interest and sharing; egocéntrico is about being the center of attention.

egoísta vs Tacaño

Tacaño is specifically about money; egoísta is more general.

egoísta vs Individualista

Individualista is often a neutral philosophical or political stance; egoísta is almost always negative.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Mirarse el ombligo"

— To only think about oneself, to be self-centered or selfish. Literally 'to look at one's belly button'.

Deja de mirarte el ombligo y ayuda a los demás.

Informal

"No ver más allá de sus narices"

— To be so selfish or short-sighted that one doesn't see how their actions affect others.

Es tan egoísta que no ve más allá de sus narices.

Common

"Primero yo, segundo yo y tercero yo"

— An expression describing someone who is extremely selfish. 'Me first, me second, me third'.

Su lema es: primero yo, segundo yo y tercero yo.

Informal

"Ir a lo suyo"

— To mind one's own business in a selfish way, ignoring others' needs.

Él siempre va a lo suyo y no ayuda al equipo.

Common

"Barrer para casa"

— To act in a way that only benefits oneself or one's own group. Literally 'to sweep toward the house'.

En la reunión, el jefe siempre barre para casa.

Common

"Pensar solo en su pellejo"

— To only care about one's own skin or safety, being selfish in a dangerous situation.

En el accidente, solo pensó en su pellejo.

Informal

"Cada uno para sí y Dios para todos"

— Every man for himself and God for everyone. Implies a selfish survivalist attitude.

Cuando hay problemas, es cada uno para sí y Dios para todos.

Proverb

"Ser un perro del hortelano"

— To be like the gardener's dog—who doesn't eat the cabbage but won't let others eat it either. Selfish dog-in-the-manger.

No seas como el perro del hortelano; si no usas la bici, déjamela.

Literary/Idiomatic

"No dar ni la hora"

— To be so selfish or stingy that one wouldn't even give the time of day.

Es tan egoísta que no da ni la hora.

Informal

"Hacer la ley del embudo"

— To apply the 'funnel law'—the wide part for oneself and the narrow part for others. Pure selfishness.

Siempre haces la ley del embudo con el dinero.

Common

Leicht verwechselbar

egoísta vs Egoísmo

Noun vs Adjective.

Egoísmo is the concept (selfishness); egoísta is the descriptor (selfish).

Su egoísmo (noun) lo hace ser una persona egoísta (adjective).

egoísta vs Egotista

Phonetic similarity.

Egotista refers to someone with an inflated sense of self-importance; egoísta refers to someone who doesn't share.

El autor es un egotista, solo habla de su fama.

egoísta vs Interesado

Semantic overlap.

Interesado implies a hidden motive for personal gain; egoísta is a general lack of concern for others.

Es un interesado, solo te llama cuando necesita algo.

egoísta vs Ambicioso

Often appear together.

Ambicioso is about desire for success; egoísta is about lack of sharing.

Es ambicioso, quiere llegar a la cima cueste lo que cueste.

egoísta vs Mezquino

Synonyms.

Mezquino is more severe and implies pettiness or low character; egoísta is more common and less intense.

No seas mezquino con los pobres.

Satzmuster

[Subject] + ser + egoísta.

Él es egoísta.

No + ser + [adjective] + con + [something].

No seas egoísta con tus juguetes.

Me parece + [adjective] + que + [subjunctive].

Me parece egoísta que no quieras ayudar.

Es + [adjective] + de + su + parte.

Es egoísta de su parte no avisar.

Tachar + a alguien + de + egoísta.

Lo tacharon de egoísta injustamente.

La naturaleza + [adjective] + de + [noun].

La naturaleza egoísta del ser humano.

Actuar + de + manera + egoísta.

Actuó de manera egoísta.

El/La + egoísta + [verb].

La egoísta se llevó todo.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

Egoísmo (Selfishness)

Egoísta (Selfish person)

Egotismo (Egotism)

Egocentrismo (Egocentrism)

Verben

Egoistizar (Rare: to make selfish)

Hacerse egoísta (To become selfish)

Volverse egoísta (To turn selfish)

Adjektive

Egoísta (Selfish)

Egocéntrico (Egocentric)

Egotista (Egotistical)

Verwandt

Ego

Ególatra (Egomaniac)

Egolatría (Self-worship)

Altruismo (Altruism)

Generosidad (Generosity)

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So verwendest du es

frequency

High (Top 2000 words in Spanish).

Häufige Fehler

Él es egoísto. → Él es egoísta.
Adjectives ending in -ista do not change to -o for masculine subjects. They are invariable.
No seas egoista. → No seas egoísta.
The accent on the 'í' is mandatory for correct spelling and pronunciation.
Tiene mucho egoísta. → Tiene mucho egoísmo.
You must use the noun 'egoísmo' (selfishness) after 'mucho', not the adjective 'egoísta'.
Él es muy egocéntrico con su dinero. → Él es muy tacaño/egoísta con su dinero.
Egocéntrico refers to being self-centered in perspective, not necessarily about sharing resources.
Los niños son egoísto. → Los niños son egoístas.
The plural of egoísta is egoístas, regardless of gender. It never becomes egoístos.

Tipps

Invariable Adjectives

Remember that adjectives ending in -ista are gender-neutral. This applies to egoísta, optimista, and realista.

The Stress Rule

The accent on the 'í' is not optional. It tells you exactly where to put the stress: e-go-ÍS-ta.

Ser vs Estar

Use 'ser' for a personality trait and 'estar' for a temporary action. 'Eres egoísta' (You are a selfish person) vs 'Estás siendo egoísta' (You are acting selfishly right now).

Related Nouns

Don't confuse the adjective 'egoísta' with the noun 'egoísmo'. You are 'egoísta', but you have 'egoísmo'.

Cultural Weight

In Hispanic cultures, calling someone 'egoísta' is often taken very personally due to the strong value placed on community.

Superlatives

To say someone is 'extremely selfish', use 'egoístísimo'. Note that here, the gender does change: egoístísimo/a.

Cognate Clues

Use the English word 'egoist' as a mental hook to remember the meaning and the '-ista' ending.

Softer Alternatives

If you want to be less harsh, you could say someone is 'un poco individualista' or 'va a lo suyo'.

Regional Slang

In Mexico, use 'codo' (elbow) for a stingy person. In Spain, 'agarrado' (clutched) is common.

Egoísmo Sano

Don't forget the positive side: 'egoísmo sano' is a popular term for mental health and boundaries.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'Ego' (the self) + 'ista' (like a specialist). An 'egoísta' is a specialist in themselves!

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a person sitting on a huge pile of toys, holding a sign that says 'MÍO' (Mine), while other children cry nearby.

Word Web

Ego Mío Solo Tacaño Yo No compartir Interés Ambición

Herausforderung

Try to identify one 'acto egoísta' you see in a movie today and describe it in Spanish using the word 'egoísta' and 'porque'.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Latin 'ego' meaning 'I', combined with the Greek-derived suffix '-ista' which denotes a person who practices or adheres to a certain quality or ideology.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: A person who is focused on the 'I' or the self.

Indo-European (Latin/Greek roots via Romance development).

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when calling someone 'egoísta' directly; it can be a very strong insult that starts a serious argument.

In English, 'selfish' is a common adjective, but 'egoísta' in Spanish can feel slightly more formal or 'heavy' depending on the tone.

The song 'Egoísta' by Belinda ft. Pitbull. The literary concept of the 'Gen Egoísta' (The Selfish Gene) by Richard Dawkins. Characters in various Spanish 'fábulas' (fables) who learn to share.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Family Arguments

Eres un egoísta.
Solo piensas en ti.
No compartes nada.
¿Por qué eres así?

Workplace/Teamwork

No seas egoísta con el trabajo.
Es un compañero egoísta.
Busca su propio interés.
Falta de solidaridad.

Relationships

Me parece un acto egoísta.
No me escuchas, eres egoísta.
Necesito que dejes de ser tan egoísta.
Nuestra relación sufre por tu egoísmo.

Social/Political Critique

Intereses egoístas de las grandes empresas.
Una sociedad egoísta.
Falta de visión común.
El egoísmo de los poderosos.

Childhood Education

Presta tus cosas.
No seas egoísta con tus amigos.
Es bueno compartir.
¿Te gustaría que fueran egoístas contigo?

Gesprächseinstiege

"¿Crees que el ser humano es egoísta por naturaleza o aprendemos a serlo?"

"¿Alguna vez has tenido un amigo muy egoísta? ¿Qué pasó con la amistad?"

"¿En qué situaciones crees que es aceptable ser un poco egoísta?"

"¿Cómo reaccionas cuando alguien es egoísta contigo en el trabajo?"

"¿Crees que las redes sociales nos hacen más egoístas hoy en día?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Describe una situación en la que fuiste egoísta y cómo te sentiste después de reflexionar sobre ello.

Escribe sobre una persona generosa que conozcas y compárala con alguien que consideres egoísta.

¿Cuál es la diferencia para ti entre el 'amor propio' y el 'comportamiento egoísta'?

Imagina un mundo donde nadie fuera egoísta. ¿Cómo funcionaría la economía y la sociedad?

Reflexiona sobre el concepto de 'egoísmo sano'. ¿Lo practicas en tu vida diaria?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, 'egoísto' is never correct. The word 'egoísta' is invariable, meaning it ends in -a for both masculine and feminine nouns. For example: 'un hombre egoísta' and 'una mujer egoísta'.

The noun for 'selfishness' is 'el egoísmo'. For example: 'El egoísmo es un problema en nuestra sociedad'.

The most common opposites are 'generoso' (generous), 'altruista' (altruistic), and 'solidario' (supportive/showing solidarity).

Yes, it has an accent on the 'í'. This is because the 'o' and the 'i' would otherwise form a diphthong. The accent ensures the 'i' is stressed and pronounced as a separate syllable.

Yes, it can function as a noun when preceded by an article. 'El egoísta' means 'the selfish man' and 'la egoísta' means 'the selfish woman'.

'Egoísta' is a general term for being selfish with anything (time, attention, things). 'Tacaño' is specifically about being stingy with money.

The adverb is 'egoístamente'. For example: 'Él actuó egoístamente'.

While usually negative, it can be used in psychological contexts like 'egoísmo sano' (healthy selfishness) to refer to necessary self-care.

Simply add an 's' to the end: 'egoístas'. It remains the same for both masculine and feminine plurals.

It is considered an A1 level word because it is a common adjective used to describe personality, but its nuances can be studied up to C2.

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