Chinese–EnglishWith examples

自私

zì sī · zi si

Same in simplified and traditional Chinese

HSK 7–9Old HSK 5

Meaning

CC-CEDICT
  1. selfish
  2. selfishness
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In a conversation

0:16 cartoon

The game console

  1. Dengdeng

    我(wǒ)弟弟(dìdi)太(tài)自私(zìsī)了(le)，游戏机(yóuxìjī)不让(bùràng)别人(biéren)玩(wán)。

    My little brother is so selfish. He lets nobody play his game console.

  2. Liangliang

    他(tā)不是(bùshì)自私(zìsī)，他(tā)才(cái)六岁(liùsuì)。

    He is not selfish. He is only six.

  3. Dengdeng

    小孩(xiǎohái)都(dōu)有(yǒu)一点(yīdiǎn)自私(zìsī)。

    Children are all a little selfish.

  4. Liangliang

    那(nà)你(nǐ)小时候(xiǎoshíhou)自私(zìsī)吗(ma)？

    Were you selfish as a child?

  5. Dengdeng

    我(wǒ)小时候(xiǎoshíhou)的(de)玩具(wánjù)，到(dào)现在(xiànzài)都(dōu)没(méi)借给(jiègěi)别人(biéren)。

    The toys from my childhood, I have never lent to anyone.

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In a sentence

2 examples
01

我(wǒ)觉(jué)得(de)她(tā)有(yǒu)点(diǎn)自(zì)私(sī)。

It seems to me that she is a little selfish.

Tatoeba: Chinese by crescat · English by CM · CC BY 2.0 FR. Pinyin added or corrected.

02

也(yě)许(xǔ)你(nǐ)说(shuō)得(de)对(duì)。我(wǒ)一(yì)直(zhí)都(dōu)很(hěn)自(zì)私(sī)。

Perhaps you are right, I have been selfish.

Tatoeba: Chinese by nickyeow · English by Dejo · CC BY 2.0 FR. Simplified Chinese conversion; Pinyin added or corrected.

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Mainland China stroke order, including traditional characters. Drawing sources & licenses.

Definitions adapted from CC-CEDICT, published by MDBG and its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Pinyin display and entry grouping have been adapted.

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