Translation guide
Describes a person or action motivated by personal gain, often at the expense of others. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through adjectives, nouns, and set phrases that emphasize selfishness, calculation, or self-centeredness.
Describing someone who consistently puts their own needs first, without regard for others.
Abbreviation of 自己中心的. Very common in casual conversation to describe a selfish or self-centered person. Slightly negative but not extremely harsh.
He's really self-interested, isn't he?
I wish you'd stop being so self-centered.
The full form of 自己中. More formal and suitable for writing or serious contexts.
You should change your self-interested way of thinking.
Literally 'self-profit-oriented'. A formal term for selfishness, often used in ethical or psychological discussions.
He's acting out of self-interested motives.
Emphasizes selfishness in a way that inconveniences others. Often used for actions, not just personality.
That's a self-interested argument.
Describing someone who acts strategically to benefit themselves, often in a cold or manipulative way.
Describing actions or attitudes that prioritize one's own convenience or benefit, often ignoring others' needs.
A common phrase meaning 'only thinks about oneself'. Natural and direct.
He's only self-interested.
I dislike self-interested people.
Expressing that an action is done for one's own benefit, without necessarily implying harm to others. Often used in business or advice.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'self-interested' in all contexts. Using a direct translation like 自己興味 (self-interest as curiosity) would be incorrect. Choose the expression based on the nuance: selfish personality, calculating behavior, or neutral self-benefit.
自己中 is casual and describes a self-centered personality. 利己的 is formal and often used in ethical or psychological contexts. 打算的 emphasizes calculation and strategy.
His kindness is self-interested.
Literally 'high in calculation'. Describes someone who is shrewd and always thinking about personal advantage.
She has a self-interested side.
Means 'selfish' or 'self-willed'. Often used for behavior that disregards others.
Please refrain from self-interested behavior.
The pursuit of self-interest is the basis of economics.