ubinafsi

How to say it

Meaning

Caring only about oneself and one’s own gain without thinking of others. In political writing it also means individualism or private interest, as against the common good.

Good to know

U class noun with no plural, from binafsi, personal or private. Often paired: tamaa na ubinafsi, greed and selfishness. Do not confuse it with ubinafsishaji, privatization.

Examples

• Ubinafsi wa viongozi umerudisha nyuma maendeleo.The leaders' selfishness has held back development.
• Tuache ubinafsi na tushirikiane.Let us drop selfishness and work together.
• Ubinafsi wake ulimfanya apoteze marafiki.His selfishness made him lose friends.