Meaning and Usage
"わがまま" refers to selfishness or willfulness, often describing someone who acts according to their own desires without considering others. It can be used as a noun or an adjective.
Common Contexts
This word is frequently used to describe children who act spoiled or adults who behave selfishly. It often carries a negative nuance, implying a lack of consideration for others.
Collocations and Patterns
- わがままを言う: to say selfish things or make selfish demands.
- わがままな人: a selfish person.
- わがままを聞く: to indulge someone's selfishness.
Register and Politeness
"わがまま" is neutral but often used in casual or informal contexts. It can be softened or intensified depending on tone and context.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "わがまま" with simple stubbornness (頑固). The key difference is that "わがまま" implies acting selfishly without regard for others, while stubbornness is more about refusing to change one's mind regardless of selfishness.