Japanese word

勝手

Pronunciation

Romajikatte

Meaning

  • nounone's own convenience

Example

私の勝手で時間を変えました。watashi no kat te de ji kan o ka e ma shi ta

I changed the time for my own convenience.

Illustration for 勝手 (one's own convenience)

More examples

そんな勝手を言わないでください。so n na kat te o i wa na i de ku da sa i

Please do not make such a selfish request.

Core concept

Describes acting according to one's own wishes or convenience rather than considering other people's circumstances.

Common phrases

  • 私の勝手watashi no kat te

    my own convenience

  • 勝手を言うkat te o yū

    make a selfish request

  • 勝手にするkat te ni su ru

    do as one pleases

Similar words

身勝手migatte: Acting for personal convenience while giving little thought to how it affects other people.
自分勝手jibunkatte: Putting personal wishes first and expecting others to accept them.
わがままwagamama: Demanding that things be done according to one's personal desires.

Definition in Japanese

自分の都合を優先して、他人の事情を考えずに振る舞うこと。ji bun no tsu gō o yū sen shi te ta nin no ji jō o kanga e zu ni fu ru ma u ko to

Word origin

勝手 (katte, "one's own convenience") is a native Japanese word whose older meanings include a household's kitchen and domestic affairs, linking the modern sense to one's own household sphere.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 勝手に (katte ni) often describes doing something without consulting others or getting permission, so it can sound critical.

Other meanings

  • selfishnessnoun

Opposites

  • 思いやりomoiyariconsideration for othersnoun

Related words

  • 勝手さkattesaselfishnessnoun

Word lists with this word