French · Emotions & Descriptions
"Selfish" in French: égoïste
égoïste
Selfish in French is égoïste for any gender. It is a strong judgment: ne sois pas égoïste. Soften with un peu if you need to.
Sharing food
Ne sois pas égoïste, laisse-en pour les autres.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce égoïste
Say it
ay-go-EEST
/e.ɡɔ.ist/
Égoïste: ay-go-EEST. Diaeresis on i means you hear go-ee, not a blended oi. Final e soft.
"Selfish" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| égoïste | selfish Adjective for all genders. | Adjective for all genders. |
| être égoïste | to be selfish With être. | With être. |
| un comportement égoïste | selfish behavior Noun phrase. | Noun phrase. |
| égocentrique | self-centered Related, slightly different. | Related, slightly different. |
How to use égoïste in real life
- 1Sharing food
Ne sois pas égoïste, laisse-en pour les autres.
Don't be selfish; leave some for the others.
En = some of it.
- 2Group project
Son attitude est un peu égoïste.
His attitude is a bit selfish.
Un peu softens.
- 3Honest talk
Tu trouves que j'ai été égoïste ?
Do you think I was selfish?
Space before ?
Mistakes English speakers make with égoïste
Incorrect: Elle est égoïstee.
Correct: Elle est égoïste.
Égoïste already works for feminine; no extra e needed in spelling beyond the final e.
Incorrect: C'est selfish.
Correct: C'est égoïste.
Use égoïste.
Good to know
Calling someone égoïste lands hard in French. Friends may prefer trop centré sur toi or pas très partageur for a lighter nudge before the full label.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Splitting the last slice of cake
ChatPal
Tu vas tout manger ? Un peu égoïste…
Are you going to eat it all? A bit selfish…
You
Tu as raison. Je ne veux pas être égoïste.
You're right. I don't want to be selfish.
ChatPal
On partage en deux ?
Shall we split it in two?
You
Oui. À toi la première part.
Yes. First piece to you.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Selfish" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Selfish" in French
Does égoïste change for gender?
Same form for masculine and feminine.
How do I soften it?
Add un peu or choose a milder phrase.
Noun for selfishness?
L'égoïsme.
Pronunciation?
Ay-go-EEST.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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