自己中 (じこちゅう, jiko chuu) is one of those words you’ll hear constantly in casual Japanese. It means selfish or self-centered — someone who only thinks about themselves. It’s a shortened form of 自己中心的 (じこちゅうしんてき, jiko chuushin-teki), meaning “egocentric.”
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 自己中 | じこちゅう | Selfish, self-centered (casual) |
| 自己中心的 | じこちゅうしんてき | Egocentric (formal/written) |
| わがまま | わがまま | Spoiled, selfish (slightly softer) |
What Does 自己中 Mean?
自己中 describes a person who acts primarily for their own benefit without considering others. In English, you might say “self-centered,” “selfish,” or “it’s always all about them.”
It is used both as a noun (a selfish person) and a な-adjective (describing behavior):
- 彼って本当に自己中だよね。— He’s really self-centered, isn’t he.
- 自己中なことばかり言わないで。— Stop only saying selfish things.
- あの人は自己中すぎる。— That person is way too self-centered.
自己中 in Everyday Conversations
You’ll hear 自己中 used when someone feels frustrated or hurt by another person’s inconsiderate behavior. It carries a clear negative tone.
- なんで自分のことしか考えないの？自己中だよ！— Why do you only think about yourself? You’re so selfish!
- 自己中な行動はやめてほしい。— I wish you’d stop acting so selfishly.
- 自己中って言われた。— I was called self-centered.
Formation note: 自己中 + だ/な/に follows the pattern of a な-adjective. “自己中な人” = a self-centered person; “自己中に行動する” = to act selfishly.
自己中 vs わがまま — What’s the Difference?
| 自己中 (jiko chuu) | わがまま (wagamama) | |
|---|---|---|
| Core meaning | Self-centered, prioritizes self | Spoiled, wants their own way |
| Nuance | Thoughtless about others’ feelings | Insists on getting what they want |
| Tone | Stronger criticism | Can be softer (even cute in kids) |
| Example | 約束を全部キャンセルした | 自分の好きなものしか食べない |
In short: 自己中 is about thinking only of yourself; わがまま is about insisting on your own way. Both are negative, but 自己中 tends to be a stronger accusation.
Natural Conversations
あの子ってさ、いつも自分の話ばっかりするよね。— That girl always only talks about herself, doesn’t she.
うん、ちょっと自己中かもね。— Yeah, she’s maybe a bit self-centered.
自己中な人と一緒にいると疲れるよね。— Being around a self-centered person is exhausting, right?
本当に。もっと周りのことを考えてほしい。— Seriously. I wish they’d think about those around them more.
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Treating 自己中 as a verb. It is a noun / な-adjective, not a verb.
❌ 彼は自己中している。
✅ 彼は自己中だ。/ 彼は自己中な人だ。
Tip: If you want to say “act selfishly,” use 自己中に行動する or 自己中なことをする.
Quick Quiz
Choose the right word (自己中 or わがまま):
1. 子どもが自分の好きなおもちゃしか買ってほしくないと泣いた。 → (selfish/spoiled child wanting own way) → ___
2. 友達の誕生日なのに、自分の話ばかりした。 → (not considering others) → ___
Answers: 1. わがまま 2. 自己中
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