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egoísmo

eh-go-EES-mohe.ɣo.ˈiz.mo

“egoísmo” means “selfishness” in Spanish (The general quality of thinking only of oneself.).

selfishness

Also: egoism
NounmB1
General
A child sitting alone on a pile of toys, holding a teddy bear tightly and turning away from a group of friends who want to play.

📝 In Action

No es egoísmo, es que necesito descansar.

A2

It's not selfishness, it's just that I need to rest.

Su egoísmo impidió que el equipo ganara el partido.

B1

His selfishness prevented the team from winning the game.

Debemos superar el egoísmo para construir una sociedad mejor.

B2

We must overcome selfishness to build a better society.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • egocentrismo (self-centeredness)
  • individualismo (individualism)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • puro egoísmo – pure selfishness
  • actuar con egoísmo – to act selfishly
  • egoísmo sano – healthy self-interest

Idioms & Expressions

  • mirarse el ombligo – To be incredibly self-centered or selfish.

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "egoísmo" in Spanish:

egoism→selfishness→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: egoísmo

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence correctly describes a person as being selfish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
egoísta(selfish (person)) — Noun / Adjective
egoístamente(selfishly) — Adverb
egocentrismo(egocentrism) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'ego' meaning 'I', combined with the suffix '-ismo' which is used to describe a system, practice, or quality.

First recorded: 18th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: egoismFrench: égoïsme

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'egoísmo' and 'egocentrismo'?

While similar, 'egoísmo' is more about acting for your own benefit, while 'egocentrismo' is the belief that you are the center of the world and everyone should focus on you.

Can 'egoísmo' ever be a good thing?

In modern Spanish, the phrase 'egoísmo sano' (healthy selfishness) is sometimes used to describe taking care of one's own needs so that they can be better for others.

How do I pronounce the 'í' in 'egoísmo'?

The accent mark means you should emphasize that syllable. It sounds like a sharp 'ee' sound: eh-go-EES-moh.