si1 nim6私念
Jyutpingsi1 nim6
Yalesī nihm
Definition
Selfish motives or personal desires.
neutralpeopleemotion
How it's used
Often used in formal or serious discussions to critique someone's integrity or transparency. It carries a slightly heavier weight than simply saying someone is selfish, as it implies a hidden agenda or ulterior motive behind an action that appears neutral or kind.
Examples
He has no selfish motives in his work; he only wants to help others.
Do you think he has selfish motives for helping you, or is he sincere?
Related words
Common phrases
completely without selfish motives
mixed with selfish motives
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 私心, which is more commonly used in casual conversation to describe a personal preference or a slight bias toward one's own interests.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
