Definition
利己 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to benefit oneself' or 'to be selfish'. It's often used in formal or philosophical contexts to describe self-interested behavior. The object or measure word can split the two characters: you can say 利了己 ('benefited oneself'). It's the opposite of 利他 ('altruism').
v.o.
to be selfishto benefit oneself
Examples
- 利己。Tā zuò rènhé shì dōu zhǐ kǎolǜ lì jǐ.He only considers benefiting himself in everything he does.
- 利己，。Zhè zhǒng xíngwéi tài lì jǐ le, bù kǎolǜ biérén.This kind of behavior is too selfish — it doesn't consider others.
- ，。Tā zài zhè jiàn shì shàng lì le jǐ, què sǔnhài le tuánduì.He benefited himself in this matter but harmed the team.
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