makasarili
selfish
From root: sarili
Usage Note
Makasarili is an adjective used to describe someone who is egoistic or only cares for themselves. It has a negative connotation in Filipino culture which values communal sharing.
Examples
" Huwag kang makasarili. "
Natural Translation
Don't be selfish.
Literal Translation
Don't you selfish.
" Huwag kang maging makasarili. "
Natural Translation
Don't be selfish.
Literal Translation
Don't you be selfish.
" Naging makasarili siya sa paglipas ng panahon at tumigil na sa pagtulong sa mga kapatid niyang nangangailangan. "
Natural Translation
He became selfish over time and stopped helping his siblings who were in need.
Literal Translation
Became selfish he in passing of time and stopped already in helping in (plural) sibling his-that needing.
Take Tagalog with you
The full course, a 12,500-word dictionary, and flashcards that make every word stick — free to start on iOS and Android.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
How Tagalog words workWord family
sarili has 6 related forms built from the same root.
Related Words
Explore Tagalog by topic
Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.
Ang, Ng, Sa: The 3 Tagalog Case Markers Explained
Ang, ng, sa are the three Tagalog case markers every noun takes. Learn what each does, the personal forms si/ni/kay, plurals with mga, and clear examples.
Tagalog Verb Focus System Explained (It's Not Active vs. Passive)
The Tagalog verb focus system isn't active vs. passive. Learn actor focus, object focus, and more with clear examples that finally make it click.
Seasons in the Philippines: A Tagalog Guide
The Philippines has two seasons, not four. Learn tag-araw, tag-ulan, and taglamig, the generative tag- prefix, and the weather vocabulary to match.
How to Say Sorry in Tagalog: Patawad vs Pasensya
How to say sorry in Tagalog: patawad, pasensya na, and paumanhin compared on a simple severity-and-formality ladder so you pick the right word every time.