The word “unselfish” means being generous and putting the needs of others before your own. In Turkish, it translates to “fedakâr” or “özverili“. Unselfish people often show kindness and care without expecting anything in return.
Here are some examples:
- English: Ela was unselfish when she stayed late to help her classmates finish their project.
- Turkish: Ela, sınıf arkadaşlarının projelerini tamamlamalarına yardım etmek için geç saate kadar kalarak fedakârlık yaptı (özverili davrandı).
- English: Joseph gave his lunch to a hungry child, showing how unselfish he is.
- Turkish: Joseph, aç bir çocuğa öğle yemeğini vererek ne kadar fedakâr olduğunu gösterdi.
Etymology of the Word “Unselfish”
The word “unselfish” is derived from the prefix “un-“ (meaning “not“) and the root word “selfish“. The word’s origin dates back to 1600s. The prefix “-un” negates the meaning of “selfish,” which originates from the word “self“, referring to a person’s own interests, combined with the suffix “-ish“, implying a characteristic.
Thus, “unselfish” literally means “not selfish” or “not self-centered”. In Turkish, this aligns with the word fedakâr, emphasizing a person who prioritizes others’ needs over their own.
- English Example: His unselfish nature inspired everyone around him.
- Turkish Example: Onun fedakâr doğası, çevresindeki herkesi etkiledi (herkese ilham verdi).
As mentioned above, in Turkish, the word “unselfish” translates to “fedakâr” or “özverili“. The former is a borrowed word from Persian. The inital part “feda” means “devoted or devotedly” and the latter means “act or do“. “Özverili“, however, is a more Turkish word. It literally means “own+giving“.
More examples in English are as follows:
Sarah’s unselfish attitude made her the first to volunteer for difficult tasks.
Being unselfish, the team captain always praised others for their contributions.
He made an unselfish decision to donate his prize money to charity.
An unselfish act, like sharing your time with someone in need, can brighten their day.
Parents often demonstrate unselfish love by putting their children’s happiness above their own.
The firefighter’s unselfish bravery saved countless lives during the rescue operation.
Teaching children the value of unselfish behavior helps create a more caring society.
His unselfish dedication to the community earned him widespread respect.
Sharing her study notes with struggling classmates was an unselfish gesture.
True leadership is built on unselfish service to the team.
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