zìsī zìlì: 自私自利 - Selfish, Egotistical, Looking Out for Oneself

• Keywords: zisi zili, 自私自利, Chinese for selfish, Chinese idiom for self-centered, what does zisi zili mean, zisi, selfish person in Chinese, egotistical in Chinese, Chinese collectivism, chengyu.
• Summary: Learn the meaning of 自私自利 (zìsī zìlì), a powerful Chinese idiom (chengyu) used to describe someone who is completely selfish and acts only for their own personal gain. This entry explores its strong negative connotation, rooted in Chinese collectivist culture, and provides practical examples to help you understand how to use this term to describe a truly self-centered or egotistical person. Discover the difference between the common word `自私 (zìsī)` and the much stronger condemnation of `自私自利`.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zìsī zìlì
• Part of Speech: Idiom (Chengyu); Adjective
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: To be completely selfish and concerned only with one's own profit and advantage.
• In a Nutshell: This isn't your everyday “selfish.” 自私自利 (zìsī zìlì) is a formal, four-character idiom that carries a heavy moral judgment. It describes a person whose character is fundamentally defined by a calculated pursuit of their own interests (`自利` - self-benefit) while completely disregarding the needs and feelings of others (`自私` - selfish). Using this term is a strong accusation of a deep character flaw.

• 自 (zì): Self, oneself.
• 私 (sī): Private, personal, selfish.
• 自 (zì): Self, oneself (repeated for emphasis and structure).
• 利 (lì): Benefit, profit, advantage.

The structure `自…自…` (zì…zì…) intensifies the meaning. It translates literally to “self-private, self-benefit.” This balanced, repetitive structure emphasizes that the person's every thought and action is directed inward, for their own private advantage, making it a very forceful and elegant insult.

• The extreme negativity of 自私自利 (zìsī zìlì) is deeply rooted in traditional Chinese cultural values, particularly 集体主义 (jítǐ zhǔyì) - collectivism. Historically and socially, Chinese culture has emphasized the importance of the group (family, community, nation) over the individual. Harmony within the group and fulfilling one's social obligations are paramount virtues.
• Comparison to Western “Selfishness”: In English, calling someone “selfish” is negative, but it can describe a temporary action (e.g., “You're being selfish for not sharing”). The phrase “looking out for number one” can even have a pragmatic, sometimes neutral or even slightly admirable, connotation in highly individualistic, competitive Western contexts. 自私自利 has none of this ambiguity. It is a severe moral condemnation, implying the person has failed in their basic duties to others and lacks fundamental virtue. It describes not just an act, but a person's entire corrupt nature.

• Connotation: Extremely negative. It is a serious insult and a harsh criticism of someone's character.
• Formality: Can be used in both formal and informal settings, but it always carries significant weight. You would not use it lightly or jokingly.
• Common Situations:
  • Social Commentary: Describing corrupt officials or unscrupulous businesspeople who profit at the public's expense.
  • Workplace/Business: Criticizing a colleague or partner who betrays trust for personal advancement or financial gain.
  • Personal Relationships: In a serious argument, accusing a family member or partner of consistently ignoring others' needs and feelings in pursuit of their own desires.

• Example 1:
  • 他这个人太自私自利了，从来不考虑别人。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhè ge rén tài zìsī zìlì le, cónglái bù kǎolǜ biérén.
  • English: This person is so utterly selfish; he never considers others.
  • Analysis: A straightforward and common way to use the term to describe someone's fundamental character. The `太…了` (tài…le) structure adds emphasis.
• Example 2:
  • 我们不能选一个自私自利的政客来当我们的领导。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bù néng xuǎn yí ge zìsī zìlì de zhèngkè lái dāng wǒmen de lǐngdǎo.
  • English: We cannot choose a selfish and egotistical politician to be our leader.
  • Analysis: Here, 自私自利 acts as an adjective to describe the `政客` (zhèngkè) - politician. This is a common use in formal or public discourse.
• Example 3:
  • 在商业合作中，最怕遇到自私自利的伙伴。
  • Pinyin: Zài shāngyè hézuò zhōng, zuì pà yùdào zìsī zìlì de huǒbàn.
  • English: In business cooperation, what one fears most is encountering a selfish partner who only looks out for themselves.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the term's relevance in a professional context, where trust and mutual benefit are expected.
• Example 4:
  • 你怎么能这么自私自利？为了自己的方便就给大家添了这么多麻烦！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zěnme néng zhème zìsī zìlì? Wèile zìjǐ de fāngbiàn jiù gěi dàjiā tiān le zhème duō máfan!
  • English: How can you be so selfish? You've caused everyone so much trouble just for your own convenience!
  • Analysis: This is an example of the term being used in a direct, confrontational accusation, likely during an argument.
• Example 5:
  • 做人不应该自私自利，而应该多为社会做贡献。
  • Pinyin: Zuò rén bù yīnggāi zìsī zìlì, ér yīnggāi duō wèi shèhuì zuò gòngxiàn.
  • English: One should not be selfish; instead, one should contribute more to society.
  • Analysis: This sentence presents 自私自利 as a negative principle to be avoided, contrasting it with the positive ideal of social contribution.
• Example 6:
  • 他的行为证明了他是一个自私自利的小人。
  • Pinyin: Tā de xíngwéi zhèngmíngle tā shì yí ge zìsī zìlì de xiǎorén.
  • English: His actions proved that he is a selfish and contemptible person.
  • Analysis: Pairing 自私自利 with `小人` (xiǎo rén - literally “small person,” meaning a petty or vile person) is a very strong form of condemnation.
• Example 7:
  • 很多人批评现代社会的一些年轻人变得越来越自私自利。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō rén pīpíng xiàndài shèhuì de yìxiē niánqīngrén biànde yuèláiyuè zìsī zìlì.
  • English: Many people criticize some young people in modern society for becoming more and more selfish.
  • Analysis: This shows how the term can be used in broader social commentary to describe a perceived trend.
• Example 8:
  • 我相信他不是一个自私自利的人，他这样做一定有他的苦衷。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xiāngxìn tā bú shì yí ge zìsī zìlì de rén, tā zhèyàng zuò yídìng yǒu tā de kǔzhōng.
  • English: I believe he is not a selfish person; he must have his own unspoken difficulties for acting this way.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates how to negate the term to defend someone's character, suggesting there's a deeper reason for their seemingly selfish actions.
• Example 9:
  • 如果人人都自私自利，那么这个世界会变成什么样子？
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ rénrén dōu zìsī zìlì, nàme zhège shìjiè huì biànchéng shénme yàngzi?
  • English: If everyone were only concerned with their own interests, what would the world become?
  • Analysis: A rhetorical question used to emphasize the negative societal consequences of such behavior.
• Example 10:
  • 他自私自利的本性在利益面前暴露无遗。
  • Pinyin: Tā zìsī zìlì de běnxìng zài lìyì miànqián bàolù wúyí.
  • English: His fundamentally selfish nature was completely exposed when faced with personal gain.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses `本性` (běnxìng - fundamental nature) to underscore that 自私自利 is seen as a core, unchangeable part of his character.

• `自私自利` (zìsī zìlì) vs. `自私` (zìsī): This is the most critical distinction for a learner.
  • `自私` (zìsī) is the general, common word for “selfish.” It can describe a single action or a general tendency. It's like the English “selfish.”
    • Correct use of `自私`: `你真自私，把最后一块蛋糕吃了！` (Nǐ zhēn zìsī, bǎ zuìhòu yí kuài dàngāo chī le!) - “You're so selfish, you ate the last piece of cake!”
  • `自私自利` (zìsī zìlì) is a much stronger, more formal idiom (chengyu). It describes a fundamental, calculated, and morally corrupt character trait focused on personal profit (`利`). You use it to condemn a person's entire character, not just a minor act.
    • Incorrect use of `自私自利`: Using it for the cake example above would be overly dramatic and sound unnatural.
    • Correct use of `自私自利`: `他为了升职而出卖同事，真是个自私自利的人。` (Tā wèile shēngzhí ér chūmài tóngshì, zhēnshì ge zìsī zìlì de rén.) - “He sold out his colleague for a promotion; he's truly a selfish and egotistical person.”

• 自私 (zìsī) - The general and more common word for “selfish.” 自私自利 is a much stronger and more formal version.
• 大公无私 (dàgōngwúsī) - The direct antonym; a chengyu meaning “selfless and devoted to the public interest.”
• 损人利己 (sǔnrén lìjǐ) - A very close synonym. A chengyu that means “to harm others to benefit oneself.” It explicitly includes the idea of harming others.
• 唯利是图 (wéilìshìtú) - A close synonym. A chengyu meaning “to only seek profit; to be mercenary.” It focuses heavily on the `利` (profit) aspect.
• 个人主义 (gèrén zhǔyì) - Individualism. While not always negative, 自私自利 is considered its most toxic and anti-social form.
• 集体主义 (jítǐ zhǔyì) - Collectivism. The cultural value system against which 自私自利 is judged so harshly.
• 慷慨 (kāngkǎi) - Generous. An adjective describing a character trait that is the opposite of being selfish.