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egoísta

eh-go-EE-stahe.ɣoˈis.ta

“egoísta” means “selfish” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

selfish

Also: self-centered
A high quality storybook illustration showing a child sitting on the ground surrounded by many toys and treats, holding them tightly and refusing to share, while another child sits nearby looking sad and left out.

📝 In Action

Mi hermano es muy egoísta y nunca comparte sus juguetes.

A2

My brother is very selfish and never shares his toys.

Fue una decisión egoísta ignorar las necesidades del equipo.

B1

It was a selfish decision to ignore the team's needs.

Ella no es egoísta; de hecho, siempre piensa en los demás.

A2

She is not selfish; in fact, she always thinks of others.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • egocéntrico (self-centered)

Antonyms

  • generoso (generous)
  • altruista (altruistic)

Common Collocations

  • actitud egoísta – selfish attitude
  • comportamiento egoísta – selfish behavior

selfish person

Also: egoist
Nounm/fB1
A high quality storybook illustration depicting a person walking down a path, carrying a huge, overflowing backpack and using a large umbrella just for themselves, ignoring the fact that another person beside them is getting soaked in the rain.

📝 In Action

No seas un egoísta; tienes que compartir.

B1

Don't be a selfish person; you have to share.

La verdad es que es una egoísta de primera.

C1

The truth is that she is a major egoist (a highly selfish person).

Los egoístas raramente son felices.

B2

Selfish people are rarely happy.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • avaro (greedy person)

Antonyms

  • altruista (altruist)
  • filántropo (philanthropist)

Common Collocations

  • un completo egoísta – a complete egoist
  • llamar a alguien egoísta – to call someone selfish

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "egoísta" in Spanish:

egoist→self-centered→selfish person→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: egoísta

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'egoísta' to describe a group of women?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
egoísmo(selfishness, egoism) — Noun
ególatra(egomaniac) — Adjective / Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from combining the Latin root 'ego,' meaning 'I' or 'self,' with the Greek suffix '-ista,' which often denotes a person who follows a doctrine or practice. Essentially, it means someone who follows the practice of 'I' above all else.

First recorded: Early 19th century (in its modern Spanish form, derived from French/English philosophical terms).

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: egoistaPortuguese: egoístaEnglish: egoist

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'egoísta' change form depending on the gender of the person?

No, 'egoísta' is one of those handy Spanish adjectives that stays the same whether you are describing a man or a woman (like 'optimista' or 'inteligente'). You only change it for the plural: 'egoístas'.

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'egoísta' y 'egoísmo'?

'Egoísta' (adjective/noun) describes the person or the action ('He is selfish'). 'Egoísmo' (noun) is the quality or concept itself ('Selfishness is a problem').