Chinese word

无私

Pronunciation

Pinyinwú sī

Meaning

  • adjectiveselfless

Example

他很无私，总是帮助别人。tā hěn wú sī zǒng shì bāng zhù bié rén

He is very selfless and always helps others.

Illustration for 无私 (selfless)

More examples

他的无私的精神激励了同事。tā de wú sī de jīng shén jī lì le tóng shì

His selfless spirit inspired his colleagues.

Core concept

A person's own interests recede while care for others takes the leading role.

Common phrases

  • 无私的精神wú sī de jīng shén

    selfless spirit

  • 无私的行为wú sī de xíng wéi

    selfless behavior

  • 无私的奉献wú sī de fèng xiàn

    selfless dedication

Similar words

慷慨kāng kǎi: Freely giving money, goods, or other resources to others.
热心rè xīn: Eagerly helping others or taking an active part in activities.
善良shàn liáng: Having a kind, caring nature and treating people well.

Definition in Chinese

不为个人利益考虑，愿意牺牲或放弃自己利益以帮助他人的形容词。bú wèi gè rén lì yì kǎo lǜ yuàn yì xī shēng huò fàng qì zì jǐ lì yì yǐ bāng zhù tā rén de xíng róng cí

Word origin

无私 (wúsī, "selfless") combines 无 (wú, "without") + 私 (sī, "private interest") to describe action not driven by personal gain.

Usage tips

  • Chinese can use this adjective for quiet, repeated help as well as major sacrifice, so it does not require a dramatic event or complete loss of personal benefit.

Other meanings

  • devotedadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word