Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Individualistic: Pertaining to or characterized by the belief that individual interests, rights, and independence are more important than those of society or a group.
   • Egoistic: Excessively concerned with one's own interests, needs, or welfare, often with a disregard for others.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Những tính toán cá nhân chủ nghĩa. (Egoistic calculations.)
  • Tư tưởng cá nhân chủ nghĩa. (The individualistic ideology.)
  • Anh ấy có lối sống rất cá nhân chủ nghĩa. (He has a very individualistic lifestyle.)
  • Hành động đó thể hiện một thái độ cá nhân chủ nghĩa. (That action shows an egoistic attitude.)

Advanced Usage

• "chủ nghĩa cá nhân": This is the nominal form (noun) meaning "individualism" or "egoism," referring to the doctrine or practice. It is often used in philosophical, political, or social discussions.
  • Chủ nghĩa cá nhân đối lập với chủ nghĩa tập thể. (Individualism is opposed to collectivism.)
• Used to critique behavior or thought perceived as selfish or overly self-reliant within a collective-oriented context.

Variants and Related Words

• Cá nhân (noun/adjective): Individual; personal.
  • quyền cá nhân (individual rights)
• Chủ nghĩa (noun): -ism; doctrine; ideology.
  • chủ nghĩa xã hội (socialism)
• Vị kỷ (adjective): Selfish; self-centered. (A stronger, more negative synonym focusing on selfishness.)
• Tự lập (adjective): Self-reliant; independent. (Can have a positive connotation, unlike which is often negative in Vietnamese context.)

Synonyms

• Ích kỷ: Selfish.
• Vị kỷ: Egoistic; self-centered.
• Tự tư tự lợi: Self-seeking; looking out for one's own gain.

Related Phrases

• Tư tưởng cá nhân chủ nghĩa: Individualistic/egoistic thinking.
• Hành động cá nhân chủ nghĩa: Individualistic/egoistic action.
• Lối sống cá nhân chủ nghĩa: Individualistic lifestyle.

Notes on Meaning and Connotation

In Vietnamese, "cá nhân chủ nghĩa" predominantly carries a negative connotation. It is often used in political, social, or moral discourse to criticize attitudes or behaviors that prioritize the self over the community, family, or collective goals. It implies selfishness and a lack of concern for the common good. This contrasts with the more neutral or sometimes positive connotation of "individualistic" in Western contexts, which can emphasize independence and self-reliance. The translation depends heavily on context: "individualistic" for descriptive or philosophical contexts, and "egoistic" for clearly pejorative contexts.

adj

1. Individualistic, egoistic
   • những tính toán cá nhân chủ nghĩa
     egoistic calculations
   • tư tưởng cá nhân chủ nghĩa
     the individualistic ideology