vị kỉ
Definition
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.
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.)