do narcs know they're narcs?

i've never once used the word 'narcissist' when interacting with my ex, for fear of him feeling accused leading to a potential lash out or break down, but sometimes i'd find himself using the word on himself, in those moments i'd be surprised and look at him and wonder... is he self-aware? is this a light admission?
mid-convo him just saying "oh no you think i'm a narcissistic xyz blah blah blah like my exs" (he'd frequently talk about his crazy ex's) he'd just casually drop in the N word- when we weren't fighting at all and just lightly conversing. this specific time was when he was hoovering...