katei na hito, toka

[thistle]

help me, I have been here too long!
I have been trying to think of an english equivelant for 'katei' as in
katei ni shinaide, katei na hito, katei ni tsukenaide toka, toka..

anybody?

[Mikawa Ossan]

Are you sure you don't mean "katte" 勝手？

[thistle]

Yes, you are right, it is 'katte', in the dictionary it says selfish,
but I always used 'wagamama' for selfish. I guess 'have it your
own way' is closer, or ' at your own will'

[nice gaijin]

wagamama is more like a way to describe someone's personality, whereas katte can be used to describe an action. I liken it to "taking the liberty," or "as if it's your right," but that's probably just because I can't think of a better way to express it in English right now.

[Mike Cash]

Let's also keep in mind that 勝手 has meanings and uses which are nothing whatsoever like 我がまま.

[Elizabeth]

Yes, you are right, it is 'katte', in the dictionary it says selfish,
but I always used 'wagamama' for selfish. I guess 'have it your
own way' is closer, or ' at your own will'
'Kattena' as an adjective I would take as selfish in exactly the same way as wagamama. I'm really not sure the sense in which you're asking for a definition....

[thistle]

Let's also keep in mind that 勝手 has meanings and uses which are nothing whatsoever like 我がまま.

That's why I am unable sometimes Ithink to find an equivalent in english when I try to think of it in english, japanese also often say 'jibun katte' and
i understand what they are saying, or do I (maybe I just think I do),
anyway my estranged husband uses this word a lot recently, probably cos
we are fighting.
anyway it seems it can be used in many ways.

[Mikawa Ossan]

I think the main problem is that there is no English equivalent.

[JimmySeal]

anyway my estranged husband uses this word a lot recently, probably cos we are fighting.
That's nothing to laugh about, but gosh it's funny the way you say it.

jibun katte could be translated as self-serving or maybe self-centered.

The English meaning for katte depends heavily on the situation but you could usually interpret "katte ni shinaide" as "Don't decide that on your own." or "Have regard for others!"

[Mike Cash]

Yes, actually the 自分勝手 thing is still akin to 我がまま and not at all what I was talking about, OP.

I had in mind its use in words such as 勝手口 and 遣い勝手 and the like.

[thistle]

Thanks for all the input!
you know I'm starting to enjoy this forum.