Explanation at your level:
A selfish person does not share. If you have a toy and you do not let your friend play with it, you are being selfish. It is not a nice way to act. You should try to share with your friends!
Being selfish means you only think about what you want. A selfish person might eat all the cookies without asking if anyone else is hungry. People usually do not like it when someone is selfish because it makes others feel sad or ignored.
When someone is selfish, they prioritize their own needs over the needs of others. For example, if a student refuses to help a classmate with homework because they only care about their own grade, that is selfish behavior. It is the opposite of being generous or selfless.
The term selfish carries a negative connotation in most social contexts. It describes someone who lacks consideration for others' feelings. While it is natural to have self-interest, being selfish implies an excessive, almost unfair level of self-focus that can damage relationships and cause conflict in a group setting.
In more advanced contexts, selfish can be used to describe actions or policies that are driven by pure self-interest rather than the common good. You might hear it in political debates, where a policy is criticized for being selfish because it only benefits a wealthy minority. It suggests a lack of altruism and a disregard for social responsibility.
At a mastery level, selfish is often contrasted with altruism or selflessness. Philosophically, it touches upon the debate of psychological egoism—the idea that all human actions are ultimately motivated by self-interest. Calling someone selfish is a moral judgment, and in literary analysis, it is often used to describe tragic flaws in characters who are unable to transcend their own ego to connect with others.
واژه در 30 ثانیه
- Selfish means caring only for oneself.
- It is usually a negative trait.
- The noun form is selfishness.
- The opposite is selfless.
When we call someone selfish, we are describing a person who focuses almost entirely on themselves. They might ignore the feelings or needs of their friends, family, or coworkers because they are too busy thinking about their own goals.
It is important to remember that self-care is different from being selfish. While taking care of yourself is healthy, being selfish usually involves ignoring the needs of others in a way that feels unfair or mean-spirited. It is a common word used to describe behavior that lacks empathy.
The word selfish comes from the English word self, which traces back to Old English. It was formed by adding the suffix -ish, which often means 'having the quality of' or 'somewhat like'.
Historically, the word appeared in the 17th century. Interestingly, it was often used in religious or moral contexts to describe people who were not following the 'golden rule' of treating others as they would like to be treated. It has evolved from a moral critique into a common psychological descriptor used in everyday conversations today.
You will most often hear selfish used after the verb to be. For example, people often say, "Don't be so selfish!" when someone takes the last piece of cake.
It is a strong, negative word. Using it can sound like a direct accusation, so be careful when saying it to someone's face. In formal writing, you might see it used to describe "selfish behavior" or "selfish motives" when analyzing characters in literature or political figures.
While there are few direct idioms for 'selfish,' we use related phrases:
- Look out for number one: To prioritize yourself above all others.
- Self-centered: A synonym often used to describe someone who thinks the world revolves around them.
- Have a big head: Someone who is so selfish they think they are more important than everyone else.
- Me-first attitude: A way of describing someone who always puts their own needs at the front of the line.
- Take the lion's share: To take the biggest or best part of something for yourself.
The word selfish is an adjective, so it does not have plural forms. You can use it before a noun, like "a selfish person," or after a linking verb, like "she is selfish."
The pronunciation is SEL-fish. The stress is on the first syllable. It rhymes with words like elfish (though that is rare) and shares a similar vowel sound to shell or bell. In both British and American English, the pronunciation is very consistent.
Fun Fact
The suffix -ish was originally used to mean 'somewhat', but in 'selfish', it became a way to describe a personality trait.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'sel' followed by 'fish'.
Similar to UK, crisp 'l' sound.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'l' too softly.
- Adding an extra syllable.
- Misplacing the stress.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to use
Commonly used
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
پیشرفته
Grammar to Know
Adjective placement
He is a selfish man.
Linking verbs
He is selfish.
Suffixes
Self + ish
Examples by Level
He is selfish.
He is not nice.
Subject + verb + adjective.
Don't be selfish.
Share your things.
Imperative sentence.
She is not selfish.
She is kind.
Negative form.
Is he selfish?
Does he only care about himself?
Question form.
They are selfish.
They do not share.
Plural subject.
My friend is selfish.
My friend is mean.
Possessive adjective.
It is selfish to hide food.
Hiding food is bad.
Infinitive structure.
Be kind, not selfish.
Do good things.
Adjective contrast.
It was selfish of him to take the last seat.
She is a very selfish person.
I don't want to be selfish, so I will share.
Why are you being so selfish today?
His selfish behavior made everyone angry.
Don't be so selfish with your time.
She realized she had been selfish.
It's not selfish to ask for help.
His selfish attitude caused a lot of problems in the office.
She felt guilty about her selfish decision.
It is a selfish act to ignore someone in need.
He was accused of being selfish by his teammates.
Sometimes you need to be a little selfish to succeed.
The selfish nature of the character surprised the audience.
Please stop being so selfish and think about others.
Her selfish choices left her with few friends.
The politician's selfish motives were clear to everyone.
It is often seen as selfish to prioritize one's career over family.
She made a selfish choice that hurt her partner's feelings.
The company was criticized for its selfish pursuit of profit.
He is not inherently selfish, just very ambitious.
Don't let your selfish impulses control your actions.
The novel explores the consequences of a selfish life.
It is a selfish luxury to spend money only on yourself.
The protagonist's selfish tendencies eventually lead to his downfall.
The policy was widely condemned as a selfish attempt to gain power.
He demonstrated a selfish disregard for the safety of others.
The debate centered on whether humans are fundamentally selfish.
Her selfish behavior was a coping mechanism for her insecurity.
It is a selfish perspective that ignores the needs of the community.
The author critiques the selfish nature of modern consumerism.
His selfish refusal to compromise stalled the negotiation.
The philosophical argument posits that even our most generous acts have selfish roots.
The character's selfish solipsism prevents him from forming genuine bonds.
The systemic structure encourages a selfish competition among peers.
Her selfish ambition blinded her to the suffering of her subordinates.
The narrative arc traces his journey from a selfish youth to a mature adult.
Critics labeled the movement as a selfish endeavor by the elite.
The moral weight of the play rests on the consequences of selfish pride.
He transcended his selfish nature to act for the greater good.
ترکیبهای رایج
Idioms & Expressions
"Look out for number one"
To prioritize oneself.
He always looks out for number one.
casual"Me-first attitude"
Always putting yourself first.
His me-first attitude is problematic.
neutral"Take the lion's share"
Taking the biggest part.
He took the lion's share of the cake.
neutral"Have a big head"
Being conceited.
Don't get a big head.
casual"Center of the universe"
Acting like everything revolves around you.
She acts like she's the center of the universe.
casual"Blow one's own trumpet"
Boasting about oneself.
He loves to blow his own trumpet.
neutralEasily Confused
Sounds similar.
Selfless is the opposite.
He is selfless; she is selfish.
Similar meaning.
Self-centered is more about focus.
He is self-centered.
Both negative.
Greedy is about wanting more stuff.
He is greedy for money.
Both about self.
Egotistical is about pride.
He is egotistical.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is + selfish
He is selfish.
It is selfish of [person] to [verb]
It is selfish of him to leave.
Don't be so selfish
Don't be so selfish with your toys.
His selfish [noun]...
His selfish attitude is bad.
He acted in a selfish way
He acted in a selfish way.
خانواده کلمه
Nouns
Adjectives
مرتبط
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
اشتباهات رایج
Selfish is an adjective; selfishness is the noun form.
They are opposites.
Selfish implies a personality trait, not a state of being.
Adjectives don't take -ly.
Selfish can sound too informal/accusatory.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a fish hogging the whole bowl.
When Native Speakers Use It
Usually during arguments or when describing a character.
Cultural Insight
Western culture values independence but dislikes selfishness.
Grammar Shortcut
Selfish is an adjective; don't use it as a verb.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'sh' sound at the end.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't say 'he is a selfishly man'.
Did You Know?
The Selfish Gene is a famous science book.
Study Smart
Learn it with its antonym 'selfless'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Self-fish: A fish that keeps all the water for itself.
Visual Association
A person sitting alone with a giant pile of gifts.
Word Web
چالش
Write a sentence using 'selfish' and 'share'.
ریشه کلمه
English
Original meaning: Concerned with one's own self.
بافت فرهنگی
It is a direct insult; avoid using it in professional settings unless describing behavior objectively.
In English-speaking cultures, calling someone selfish is a significant social criticism.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at school
- He won't share his notes.
- That's selfish.
at work
- He only cares about his own promotion.
- Selfish management.
in relationships
- You never think about my feelings.
- Stop being selfish.
in stories
- The selfish character learned a lesson.
Conversation Starters
"Do you think it's ever okay to be selfish?"
"What is the most selfish thing you've seen?"
"How do you handle selfish people?"
"Can someone be selfish and happy?"
"Is it selfish to focus on your career?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you felt someone was selfish.
Is there a difference between self-care and selfishness?
Write about a character who changes from selfish to selfless.
Why do people act selfishly?
سوالات متداول
8 سوالUsually, yes, but sometimes 'self-interest' is necessary for survival.
Use it after 'to be' or before a noun.
Yes, selfishness.
It is very rude; avoid it.
Selfless or generous.
It is standard English, but can be emotionally charged.
Shellfish.
Yes, to describe poor leadership.
خودت رو بسنج
He is ____ because he does not share.
Selfish is the word for not sharing.
What does selfish mean?
Selfish means focusing on yourself.
A selfish person is usually very generous.
Selfish and generous are opposites.
Word
معنی
Matching synonyms and antonyms.
Subject + verb + adverb + adjective.
امتیاز: /5
Summary
Being selfish means you put your own needs before the needs of others, which is often seen as unkind.
- Selfish means caring only for oneself.
- It is usually a negative trait.
- The noun form is selfishness.
- The opposite is selfless.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a fish hogging the whole bowl.
When Native Speakers Use It
Usually during arguments or when describing a character.
Cultural Insight
Western culture values independence but dislikes selfishness.
Grammar Shortcut
Selfish is an adjective; don't use it as a verb.
مثال
他太自私了，从不考虑别人。
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این کلمه در زبانهای دیگر
واژههای بیشتر emotions
有点
A1A little; somewhat; rather.
可恶
A2Hateful; detestable; abominable.
心不在焉
A2Absent-minded; preoccupied.
接受地
A2Acceptingly; receptively.
成就感
B1Sense of achievement; fulfillment.
撒娇
A2To act like a spoiled child; to act cute.
上瘾
B1To be addicted to something.
沉迷
A2To be addicted to; to be engrossed in.
敬佩
B1Admiration; respect; reverence.
佩服
B1To admire; to respect.
