Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Selfish: Characterized by being concerned chiefly or excessively with one's own personal advantage, benefit, or pleasure, often with little or no regard for others.
   • Egoistic: Based on the belief that self-interest is the valid end of all actions.

2. Noun (less common usage):

   • Egoism: The ethical theory that treats self-interest as the foundation of morality; or the practice of being selfish.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Hành động đó thật vị kỉ. (That action is truly selfish.)
  • Anh ta là một người vị kỉ, chỉ biết nghĩ đến bản thân. (He is a selfish person, only thinking of himself.)
• Noun:
  • Chủ nghĩa vị kỉ không được khuyến khích trong xã hội. (Egoism is not encouraged in society.)

Advanced Usage

• "Chủ nghĩa vị kỉ": Ethical egoism; the philosophical doctrine.

  • Triết gia đó ủng hộ chủ nghĩa vị kỉ. (That philosopher supports ethical egoism.)

• "Tính vị kỉ": Selfishness (as a quality or trait).

  • Tính vị kỉ của hắn khiến mọi người xa lánh. (His selfishness makes people avoid him.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ích kỉ (adj): Synonymous with "vị kỉ," meaning selfish or self-centered.

  • Đừng có ích kỉ như vậy. (Don't be so selfish.)

• Vị tha (adj): The direct antonym, meaning altruistic or selfless.

  • Cô ấy là người vị tha, luôn giúp đỡ người khác. (She is an altruistic person, always helping others.)

Synonyms

• Self-centered: Concerned solely with one's own desires and needs.
• Self-serving: Having concern for one's own welfare and interests above those of others.
• Egocentric: Viewing everything in relation to oneself; self-centered.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Sống vị kỉ: To live a selfish life.

  • Sống vị kỉ sẽ không bao giờ mang lại hạnh phúc thực sự. (Living selfishly will never bring true happiness.)

• Lối suy nghĩ vị kỉ: A selfish way of thinking.

  • Chúng ta cần vượt qua lối suy nghĩ vị kỉ. (We need to overcome selfish ways of thinking.)