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- | ====== zìsī: 自私 - Selfish, Egocentric ====== | + | |
- | ===== Quick Summary ===== | + | |
- | * **Keywords: | + | |
- | * **Summary: | + | |
- | ===== Core Meaning ===== | + | |
- | * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** zìsī | + | |
- | * **Part of Speech:** Adjective | + | |
- | * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 | + | |
- | * **Concise Definition: | + | |
- | * **In a Nutshell:** `自私` is a direct and powerful word used to describe someone who lacks consideration for others. It's not just about taking care of yourself; it's about prioritizing your own needs and desires at the expense of the group, family, or social harmony. Being labeled `自私` is a serious social criticism in China. | + | |
- | ===== Character Breakdown ===== | + | |
- | * **自 (zì):** This character means " | + | |
- | * **私 (sī):** This character means " | + | |
- | * **Together: | + | |
- | ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | + | |
- | In traditional Chinese culture, heavily influenced by Confucian values, the group (family, community, nation) is paramount. Concepts like **集体主义 (jítǐ zhǔyì) - collectivism** and **和谐 (héxié) - harmony** are highly prized. An individual is expected to consider the needs and feelings of others and contribute to the well-being of the group. | + | |
- | Therefore, `自私` is not just a personal flaw; it's a violation of fundamental social norms. It implies that a person is failing in their duty to their family, friends, or colleagues. | + | |
- | **Comparison to Western Individualism: | + | |
- | In many Western cultures, particularly American culture, **individualism** is often valued. " | + | |
- | For example, if an employee refuses to stay late to help a team finish a project because they have personal plans, a Western manager might respect their work-life balance. A Chinese manager, however, might view this as a `自私` act that shows a lack of commitment to the team and the company. The expectation is to prioritize the collective goal. | + | |
- | ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | + | |
- | `自私` is a common but strong word used in everyday life. It is almost always negative and used as a form of criticism or accusation. | + | |
- | * **In Relationships: | + | |
- | * **At Work:** An employee who doesn' | + | |
- | * **Social Commentary: | + | |
- | It's important to understand that calling someone `自私` is a direct confrontation and can seriously damage a relationship. It's not a light or casual observation. | + | |
- | ===== Example Sentences ===== | + | |
- | * **Example 1:** | + | |
- | * 你怎么能这么**自私**,一点儿都不为别人着想! | + | |
- | * Pinyin: Nǐ zěnme néng zhème **zìsī**, yīdiǎnr dōu bù wèi biérén zhuóxiǎng! | + | |
- | * English: How can you be so **selfish**, | + | |
- | * Analysis: This is a very common and direct accusation, often used in moments of anger or frustration between people who know each other well. | + | |
- | * **Example 2:** | + | |
- | * 他是一个很**自私**的人,从来不跟同事分享他的工作经验。 | + | |
- | * Pinyin: Tā shì yīgè hěn **zìsī** de rén, cónglái bù gēn tóngshì fēnxiǎng tā de gōngzuò jīngyàn. | + | |
- | * English: He is a very **selfish** person; he never shares his work experience with colleagues. | + | |
- | * Analysis: This sentence describes a person' | + | |
- | * **Example 3:** | + | |
- | * 把最后一块蛋糕吃掉,你是不是有点太**自私**了? | + | |
- | * Pinyin: Bǎ zuìhòu yīkuài dàngāo chī diào, nǐ shì bùshì yǒudiǎn tài **zìsī** le? | + | |
- | * English: Eating the last piece of cake, aren't you being a bit too **selfish**? | + | |
- | * Analysis: A lighter, slightly teasing but still critical use of the word. The phrase `有点 (yǒudiǎn)` softens the accusation a little. | + | |
- | * **Example 4:** | + | |
- | * 为了自己的利益而损害集体利益是一种**自私**的行为。 | + | |
- | * Pinyin: Wèile zìjǐ de lìyì ér sǔnhài jítǐ lìyì shì yīzhǒng **zìsī** de xíngwéi. | + | |
- | * English: Damaging the collective interest for the sake of one's own benefit is a type of **selfish** behavior. | + | |
- | * Analysis: This is a more formal and abstract usage, suitable for a written report, speech, or official criticism. It connects selfishness directly to the cultural value of collectivism. | + | |
- | * **Example 5:** | + | |
- | * 父母不应该教孩子**自私**,而应该教他们分享。 | + | |
- | * Pinyin: Fùmǔ bù yìnggāi jiāo háizi **zìsī**, ér yīnggāi jiāo tāmen fēnxiǎng. | + | |
- | * English: Parents shouldn' | + | |
- | * Analysis: This sentence frames `自私` as the opposite of the positive value of `分享 (fēnxiǎng) - sharing`. | + | |
- | * **Example 6:** | + | |
- | * 我承认我有时候很**自私**,我会努力改的。 | + | |
- | * Pinyin: Wǒ chéngrèn wǒ yǒushíhou hěn **zìsī**, wǒ huì nǔlì gǎi de. | + | |
- | * English: I admit that I am sometimes very **selfish**, | + | |
- | * Analysis: An example of self-criticism. Admitting one's own selfishness is seen as a sign of sincerity and a willingness to improve. | + | |
- | * **Example 7:** | + | |
- | * 他的决定表面上看起来很**自私**,但其实有他自己的苦衷。 | + | |
- | * Pinyin: Tā de juédìng biǎomiàn shàng kàn qǐlái hěn **zìsī**, dàn qíshí yǒu tā zìjǐ de kǔzhōng. | + | |
- | * English: On the surface, his decision seemed very **selfish**, | + | |
- | * Analysis: This sentence shows how to contextualize or defend against an accusation of selfishness by suggesting there are hidden reasons for someone' | + | |
- | * **Example 8:** | + | |
- | * 不要把独立和**自私**混为一谈。 | + | |
- | * Pinyin: Bùyào bǎ dúlì hé **zìsī** hùnwéiyītán. | + | |
- | * English: Don't confuse being independent with being **selfish**. | + | |
- | * Analysis: This sentence explicitly addresses a common point of confusion. It's a great example for learners to understand the nuance between a positive trait (`独立` - independence) and a negative one. | + | |
- | * **Example 9:** | + | |
- | * 在爱情里,两个人都不应该太**自私**。 | + | |
- | * Pinyin: Zài àiqíng lǐ, liǎng gè rén dōu bù yìnggāi tài **zìsī**. | + | |
- | * English: In a romantic relationship, | + | |
- | * Analysis: A common piece of relationship advice, emphasizing that mutual consideration is key to a successful partnership. | + | |
- | * **Example 10:** | + | |
- | * 他**自私**地把所有的功劳都归于自己。 | + | |
- | * Pinyin: Tā **zìsī** de bǎ suǒyǒu de gōngláo dōu guīyú zìjǐ. | + | |
- | * English: He **selfishly** took all the credit for himself. | + | |
- | * Analysis: Here, `自私地` is used as an adverb to describe how an action was performed. The `地 (de)` particle transforms the adjective into an adverb. | + | |
- | ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | + | |
- | * **`自私` vs. `独立` (dúlì - independent): | + | |
- | * **Correct: | + | |
- | * **Incorrect: | + | |
- | * **`自私` is not " | + | |
- | * **`自私` vs. `自我` (zìwǒ):** `自我 (zìwǒ)` means " | + | |
- | ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== | + | |
- | * [[无私]] (wúsī) - Selfless; the direct antonym of `自私`. | + | |
- | * [[大方]] (dàfāng) - Generous; an antonym in the context of sharing and behavior. | + | |
- | * [[小气]] (xiǎoqì) - Stingy, petty; a specific type of selfish behavior, often related to money or small things. | + | |
- | * [[自我中心]] (zìwǒ zhōngxīn) - Self-centered, | + | |
- | * [[利己主义]] (lìjǐ zhǔyì) - Egoism, selfishness (as a philosophy); | + | |
- | * [[集体主义]] (jítǐ zhǔyì) - Collectivism; | + | |
- | * [[独立]] (dúlì) - Independent; | + | |
- | * [[分享]] (fēnxiǎng) - To share; a positive action that is the opposite of selfishly hoarding things. | + |