Korean Dictionary
How to say "Narcissism" in Korean
“Narcissism” in Korean is 자기애 (pronounced "jagiae").
자기애
jagiae
Usage & Context
Narcissism is excessive self-admiration and lack of empathy for others. Korean social media culture has sparked conversations about 자기애 and its effects on relationships and mental health.
Example Sentence
자기애가 과도하면 타인과의 관계에서 문제가 생긴다.
Excessive narcissism creates problems in relationships with others.
How to use 자기애 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Narcissism” is 자기애, romanized as jagiae.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 자기애.
Pronunciation Guide
For 자기애 (jagiae), 'ja' sounds like 'jah' in 'jar', 'gi' like 'gee' in 'geese', and 'ae' like 'eh' in 'bed'. The 'j' and 'g' sounds are soft. The 'ae' is a distinct vowel sound, not a diphthong.
More Example Sentences
Complaining about someone's personality to a friend.
그는 자기애가 너무 강해서 남의 말을 듣지 않아요.
He has such strong narcissism that he doesn't listen to others.
A psychological discussion about healthy self-esteem.
적당한 자기애는 자신감으로 이어질 수 있습니다.
Appropriate self-love can lead to self-confidence.
Discussing mental health conditions with a doctor.
자기애성 성격 장애는 전문가의 도움이 필요해요.
Narcissistic personality disorder requires professional help.
Cultural Context
In Korean, '자기애' can refer to both healthy self-love and pathological narcissism, with context usually clarifying the meaning. When referring to the disorder, '자기애성 성격 장애' (jagiae-seong seonggyeok jangae) is used. With the rise of social media and '인싸' (insa - 'insider', popular person) culture, there's a growing discussion about how self-promotion and validation-seeking online might relate to '자기애,' sometimes in a critical light. Historically, humility (겸손, 'gyeomson') was highly valued, so excessive self-admiration might have been viewed negatively, but a healthy sense of self-worth is increasingly recognized.
Editorial note
We review entries like 자기애 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
자기애가 강하다
to have strong narcissism/self-love
자기애에 빠지다
to be absorbed in self-love/narcissism
자기애성 성격 장애
narcissistic personality disorder
Related Expressions
자존감
jajongam
self-esteem
이기심
igisim
selfishness
자만심
jamansim
arrogance, conceit
자기 중심적
jagi jungsimjeok
self-centered
More Mental Health & Wellness Words
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