noun
self-interest; selfish desire; greed
A yojijukugo referring to pursuing one's own profit and desires, often with a negative connotation of greed or selfishness.
政治家は私利私欲に走ってはいけない。
Politicians must not be driven by self-interest.
彼の行動は私利私欲のためだけだった。
His actions were solely for his own selfish desires.
利己的 is an adjective meaning 'selfish' or 'egoistic', focusing on character or attitude, while 私利私欲 is a noun emphasizing the pursuit of personal gain and desires.
欲張り is a more casual term for 'greedy person' or 'greediness', often used in everyday contexts, whereas 私利私欲 is a formal, compound noun used in serious or critical discussions.
A yojijukugo composed of 私利 (personal profit) and 私欲 (personal desire), both using the character 私 (private, personal). The combination emphasizes selfish motives.