牺牲

• Pinyin: xī shēng
• Hanzi breakdown: 牺 = 牛 (ox) + 羲 (phonetic); 牲 = 牛 (ox) + 生 (life). Both relate to sacrificial animals in ancient rituals

Meaning

To sacrifice; sacrifice. To give up something valuable for a cause, or to die for one's country or a noble purpose.

Can be used as both a verb and a noun. In formal or official contexts, specifically refers to dying for one's country or a righteous cause. In everyday speech, used more broadly to mean giving up something valuable (time, interests, etc.) for something else.

Examples

1. 为了照顾生病的母亲，她牺牲了自己的事业发展机会。 To take care of her sick mother, she sacrificed her career development opportunities.
2. 这位消防员在救火时英勇牺牲，被追授为烈士。 This firefighter heroically sacrificed his life while fighting a fire and was posthumously honored as a martyr.
3. 任何成功都需要一定程度的牺牲，关键是值不值得。 Any success requires a certain degree of sacrifice; the key is whether it's worth it.

Usage Guide

Context: formal, military, everyday, emotional

Tone: solemn

Do Say

• 父母为孩子牺牲了很多。(Parents sacrifice a lot for their children.)
• 他为国牺牲了。(He died for his country.)

Don't Say

• 我今天牺牲了午饭 — 对于小事不用'牺牲'，应该说'我今天没吃午饭'

Origin & History

Originally referred to animals sacrificed in ancient rituals. 牺 and 牲 both contain the 牛 (ox) radical, as cattle were common sacrificial animals. Later extended to mean human sacrifice for noble causes.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal