เห็นแก่ตัว

Explanation

This word normally carries criticism and corresponds to “selfish” or “self-centered.” It can describe not only a person’s character but also a particular choice or action. As a Thai stative adjective, it can function directly as the predicate in เขาเห็นแก่ตัว, “He is selfish.” It can also follow a noun, as in คนเห็นแก่ตัว, “a selfish person.” Here, ตัว refers to oneself, giving the expression the image of considering oneself first. Adding ความ forms the noun ความเห็นแก่ตัว, meaning “selfishness.” Although generally negative, it can be softened with บ้าง in phrases such as ต้องเห็นแก่ตัวบ้าง, meaning that someone should put themselves first occasionally rather than always sacrificing their own needs.

Usage

Commonly used to criticize people or actions that disregard others—for example, refusing to help with shared work, keeping all the benefits, monopolizing something, or shifting a burden onto someone else. It is natural in both everyday conversation and writing.

Caution

Calling someone เห็นแก่ตัว directly can sound sharply accusatory. To express the positive idea of taking care of oneself, ดูแลตัวเอง is usually more suitable. Also, other expressions formed with เห็นแก่ are not necessarily negative.

1 selfish synonyms

• เอาแต่ใจ

  เอาแต่ใจ describes someone who insists on having things their own way and ignores others’ wishes. เห็นแก่ตัว focuses more broadly on putting one’s own interests ahead of other people.

• เอาแต่ได้

  เอาแต่ได้ strongly criticizes someone who only wants to gain and gives nothing in return. เห็นแก่ตัว is broader and can refer to selfishness involving convenience, time, effort, or other personal interests.