🇬🇧🇨🇳 selfishness - 自私 : English Lesson

Meaning of "selfishness" ("自私"), detailed definition, and a short video lesson below.

Selfishness is when a person mostly thinks about what they want, what they like, and what helps them, without caring about how other people feel. A selfish person might refuse to share, always want the biggest or best thing, or make choices that are good for them but unfair to others. It doesn’t mean you can never think about yourself; it means you forget that other people matter too.

Watch and listen to this English flashcard to understand the word in more detail, with an easy example sentence.

Due to his selfishness, Liam took the biggest slice of cake and then asked for a “backup slice” in case he got hungry later.

His selfishness made game night weird; he tried to be the banker, the winner, and the referee all at once.

Because of her selfishness, she saved all the colored markers for herself and handed me a single, almost-dead gray one.

Mom said my selfishness was showing when I called dibs on the front seat for every car ride for the rest of my life.

Some scientists say humans naturally think of themselves first for survival, but selfishness is when you let that bossy me-first feeling run the whole show.

A child grabbed the only cake slice. Her selfishness stunned the room. Small selfishness sat on her shoulder while friends cried and one held an empty plate. The child's selfishness filled the table like a dark cloud. Alone, she tasted selfishness and shame. Seeing lonely faces, she shared the rest and left selfishness behind.

This word is at the C1 level, which means it’s part of advanced English. It’s used in sophisticated conversations, professional settings, and academic discussions. Words at this level help you express yourself fluently and precisely in nuanced situations.

Expanding your English vocabulary is one of the best ways to improve your pronunciation, spelling, and confidence in English. Watch the video above to memorize the word, understand its meaning, and see example sentences in action. Discover related words to grow your vocabulary naturally. Add words to your playlist for stress-free, effective learning—anytime, anywhere! Watch, learn, repeat.