Korean · Emotions & Descriptions
"Selfish" in Korean: 이기적이다
이기적이다igijeogida
Selfish in Korean is 이기적이다 (igijeogida). 이기적이다 combines 이기적 with the copula; 이기적이에요 keeps the linking 이 after the final consonant.
Selfish: an everyday statement
그 결정은 이기적이에요.geu gyeoljeongeun igijeogieyo.
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How to pronounce 이기적이다
Say it
igijeogida
/ikitɕʌkita/
Read 이기적이다 as igijeogida. The spoken form 이기적이에요 is igijeogieyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"Selfish" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 이기적이다igijeogida | Selfish Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 이기적이에요igijeogieyo | Selfish (polite present) Use 이기적이에요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 이기적이에요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 이기적이었어요igijeogieosseoyo | Selfish (polite past) Use 이기적이었어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 이기적이었어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 이기적이다 in real life
- 1Selfish: an everyday statement
그 결정은 이기적이에요.
geu gyeoljeongeun igijeogieyo.
That decision is selfish.
이기적이에요 is the present form of 이기적이다.
- 2Selfish: a different situation
그때 제가 이기적이었어요.
geuttae jega igijeogieosseoyo.
I was selfish then.
이기적이었어요 is the past form of 이기적이다.
- 3Selfish: a question or request
그 행동이 이기적이에요?
geu haengdongi igijeogieyo?
Is that behavior selfish?
이기적이에요 is the present form of 이기적이다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 이기적이다
Incorrect: 이기적이다.
Correct: 이기적이에요.
When practicing selfish, 이기적이다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 이기적이에요.
Incorrect: 어제 이기적이에요.
Correct: 어제 이기적이었어요.
When practicing selfish, for a completed event yesterday, use 이기적이었어요; the present form 이기적이에요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
이기적이다 combines 이기적 with the copula; 이기적이에요 keeps the linking 이 after the final consonant. 이기적이에요 is the polite conversational form of 이기적이다; 이기적이었어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led emotions and descriptions study exercise: two sentences with 이기적이다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
그 결정은 이기적이에요.
geu gyeoljeongeun igijeogieyo.
That decision is selfish.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
그때 제가 이기적이었어요.
geuttae jega igijeogieosseoyo.
I was selfish then.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Selfish" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Selfish" in Korean
How do I use 이기적이다 in polite speech?
이기적이에요 is the polite conversational form of 이기적이다; 이기적이었어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 이기적이다 in a past-tense sentence?
이기적이었어요 is the polite past form. 이기적이다 combines 이기적 with the copula; 이기적이에요 keeps the linking 이 after the final consonant.
What does 이기적이에요 mean here?
이기적이에요 is used for selfish. For example, 그 결정은 이기적이에요. means “That decision is selfish.”
What should I remember about 이기적이다?
이기적이다 combines 이기적 with the copula; 이기적이에요 keeps the linking 이 after the final consonant.
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