The word ‘selfish’ is often used in everyday conversations to describe someone who prioritizes their own needs, desires, or interests above those of others. In Malayalam, this concept can be expressed using a few different terms depending on the tone, intent, and cultural setting. Words like à´¸àµà´µà´¾àµ¼à´¤àµà´¥àµ» (swarthan), à´¸àµà´µà´¾àµ¼à´¤àµà´¥à´à´¾à´µà´ (swarthabhavam), and à´ à´¨àµà´¯à´¾à´¯à´ (anyaayam) are used to represent the idea of selfishness. Understanding the Malayalam meaning of selfish helps speakers and learners of the language communicate emotional and ethical nuances more effectively, whether in casual talk, literature, or formal discussions.
What Does Selfish Mean?
In English, ‘selfish’ is an adjective used to describe a person who lacks consideration for others and is mainly concerned with their own personal gain or comfort. It is usually used in a negative sense to indicate behavior that is self-centered or inconsiderate.
- Example: He was too selfish to share his food with anyone else.
- Synonyms: Egocentric, self-centered, greedy, inconsiderate.
Malayalam Meaning of Selfish
There are several Malayalam words that capture the meaning of ‘selfish,’ each offering a slightly different shade of meaning depending on how the word is used in context.
1. à´¸àµà´µà´¾àµ¼à´¤àµà´¥àµ» (Swarthan)
This is the most direct translation of ‘selfish’ in Malayalam. It refers to a person who acts out of self-interest and ignores the needs or welfare of others. It is used in both spoken and written Malayalam and is typically used in a negative context.
Example: He is a selfish man who never helps others.
Malayalam: à´
വൻ à´à´°àµ à´¸àµà´µà´¾àµ¼à´¤àµà´¥à´¨à´¾à´£àµ, മറàµà´±àµà´³àµà´³à´µàµ¼à´àµà´àµ à´à´°àµà´ªà´¾à´àµ സഹായഠà´àµà´¯àµà´¯à´¾à´±à´¿à´²àµà´².
2. à´¸àµà´µà´¾àµ¼à´¤àµà´¥à´à´¾à´µà´ (Swarthabhavam)
This is a noun form that describes the quality or attitude of being selfish. It is used to talk about the trait or behavior, rather than the person directly.
Example: Selfishness can ruin relationships.
Malayalam: à´¸àµà´µà´¾àµ¼à´¤àµà´¥à´à´¾à´µà´ ബനàµà´§à´àµà´àµ¾ നശിപàµà´ªà´¿à´àµà´à´¾à´.
3. à´ à´¨àµà´¯à´¾à´¯à´ (Anyaayam)
This word generally means unjust or unfair, but in some contexts, it can imply selfishness when someone knowingly causes harm or discomfort to others for personal gain. It reflects a deeper ethical criticism rather than just behavioral selfishness.
Example: It is selfish and unjust to take all the credit.
Malayalam: à´®àµà´´àµà´µàµ» à´ªàµà´°à´¶à´à´¸à´¯àµà´ à´¸àµà´µà´¨àµà´¤à´®à´¾à´àµà´àµà´¨àµà´¨à´¤àµ à´
à´¨àµà´¯à´¾à´¯à´µàµà´ à´¸àµà´µà´¾àµ¼à´¤àµà´¥à´µàµà´®à´¾à´£àµ.
Selfishness in Different Situations
The Malayalam meaning of selfish varies with context, just like in English. The tone and emotion in which the word is used determine how strongly it is perceived.
Selfishness in Family Relationships
In family contexts, selfish behavior is usually discouraged and frowned upon. Parents often teach children to share and think about others. If a child refuses to share toys or food, it might be called à´¸àµà´µà´¾àµ¼à´¤àµà´¥à´¤ (selfishness).
- She always keeps the best for herself – ഠവൾ à´à´ªàµà´ªàµà´´àµà´ നലàµà´²à´¤àµ à´¸àµà´µà´¯à´ മാതàµà´°à´ à´µàµà´àµà´à´¾à´±à´¾à´£àµ.
- Don’t be selfish, share with your brother – à´¸àµà´µà´¾àµ¼à´¤àµà´¥à´¨à´¾à´à´°àµà´¤àµ, സഹàµà´¦à´°à´¨àµà´àµà´ à´ªà´àµà´àµà´µàµà´àµà´àµ.
Selfishness in Friendships
Friendships are based on mutual trust and giving. When one friend only takes and never gives, people may call that person à´¸àµà´µà´¾àµ¼à´¤àµà´¥àµ». This term can damage a person’s social image and reputation if used seriously.
- He only calls when he needs something – ഠവൻ à´¸àµà´µà´¾àµ¼à´¤àµà´¥à´¨à´¾à´£àµ, à´à´µà´¶àµà´¯à´®à´¾à´¯à´ªàµà´ªàµàµ¾ മാതàµà´°à´®àµ വിളിà´àµà´àµà´à´¯àµà´³àµà´³àµ.
- True friends are never selfish – യഥാർതàµà´¥ à´¸àµà´¹àµà´¤àµà´¤àµà´àµà´àµ¾ à´¸àµà´µà´¾àµ¼à´¤àµà´¥à´°à´²àµà´².
Selfishness in Society
Socially, selfishness can lead to inequality and injustice. Politicians, business leaders, or even common citizens who act only for personal gain are often criticized in Malayalam media using words like à´¸àµà´µà´¾àµ¼à´¤àµà´¥à´¤ and à´ à´¨àµà´¯à´¾à´¯à´.
- He used his position for selfish gain – ഠവൻ തനàµà´±àµ à´¸àµà´¥à´¾à´¨à´¤àµà´¤àµ à´¸àµà´µà´¾àµ¼à´¤àµà´¥à´¤à´¯àµà´àµà´à´¾à´¯à´¿ à´à´ªà´¯àµà´ à´¿à´àµà´àµ.
- Selfish leaders damage public trust – à´¸àµà´µà´¾àµ¼à´¤àµà´¥ à´¨àµà´¤à´¾à´àµà´àµ¾ à´à´¨à´µà´¿à´¶àµà´µà´¾à´¸à´ നശിപàµà´ªà´¿à´àµà´àµà´¨àµà´¨àµ.
Positive vs. Negative Self-Care
It’s important to note that caring for oneself is not always selfish. In Malayalam, the distinction between à´à´¤àµà´®à´ªà´°à´¿à´à´°à´£à´ (self-care) and à´¸àµà´µà´¾àµ¼à´¤àµà´¥à´¤ (selfishness) is essential. Self-care is necessary and healthy, while selfishness ignores others’ needs and causes harm.
- Taking rest is not selfish – വിശàµà´°à´®à´ à´à´àµà´àµà´àµà´¨àµà´¨à´¤àµ à´¸àµà´µà´¾àµ¼à´¤àµà´¥à´¤ à´ à´²àµà´².
- Putting yourself first sometimes is okay – à´à´¿à´²à´ªàµà´ªàµà´´àµà´àµà´à´¿à´²àµà´ à´¸àµà´µà´¯à´ à´®àµàµ»à´¤àµà´àµà´à´ നൽà´àµà´¨àµà´¨à´¤àµ ശരിയാണàµ.
How Malayalam Literature Describes Selfishness
Malayalam literature, especially moral stories and poems, often explore the theme of selfishness as a human flaw. Characters who display selfish traits are typically shown to face consequences. The word à´¸àµà´µà´¾àµ¼à´¤àµà´¥à´¤ is used symbolically to reflect inner greed and moral failure.
For instance, in folktales, a greedy landlord or a cunning merchant who cheats others is often labeled as selfish, while kind and generous characters are rewarded. These moral lessons teach values that discourage selfishness and promote empathy.
Related Malayalam Terms and Phrases
- à´¸àµà´µà´¾àµ¼à´¤àµà´¥à´¤à´¯àµà´ à´¦àµà´°à´¾à´ àµà´°à´¹à´µàµà´ – selfishness and prejudice
- à´¸àµà´µà´¾àµ¼à´¤àµà´¥ മനàµà´à´¾à´µà´ – self-centered mentality
- à´¸àµà´µà´¾àµ¼à´¤àµà´¥à´¤à´¯àµà´àµà´àµ à´ªàµà´±à´¤àµà´¤àµà´³àµà´³à´µàµ» – a person free from selfishness
Tips to Recognize and Avoid Selfishness
- Practice empathy – Try to understand others’ feelings.
- Share resources – Don’t keep everything for yourself.
- Listen actively – Value others’ opinions and needs.
- Apologize when needed – Accept when you’ve acted selfishly.
The word ‘selfish’ finds its Malayalam meanings through terms like à´¸àµà´µà´¾àµ¼à´¤àµà´¥àµ», à´¸àµà´µà´¾àµ¼à´¤àµà´¥à´à´¾à´µà´, and à´ à´¨àµà´¯à´¾à´¯à´. These words reflect not only behavior but also the cultural and moral dimensions of selfishness in Malayalam-speaking communities. Whether in personal relationships or societal roles, being labeled as selfish carries a strong emotional weight. Learning how this word translates and is used in Malayalam helps speakers better navigate conversations, literature, and ethical discussions. Understanding the Malayalam meaning of selfish ultimately contributes to more thoughtful and respectful communication across both languages.