Spanish word

abnegación

Pronunciation

IPA/aβneɣaˈθjon/

Meaning

  • feminine nounself-sacrifice

Example

Su abnegación por la familia es admirable.

His self-sacrifice for his family is admirable.

Illustration for abnegación (self-sacrifice)

More examples

El capitán actuó con abnegación para apoyar al equipo.

The captain acted with self-sacrifice to support the team.

Core concept

Giving up personal comforts to help others.

Common phrases

  • actitud de abnegación

    attitude of self-sacrifice

  • con abnegación

    with self-sacrifice

Similar words

sacrificio: Accepts real loss of benefits or time to help others or pursue a goal.
altruismo: Prioritizes others' welfare over self-interest and acts to help them.
generosidad: Gives money, goods, or time willingly to help those in need without expecting anything in return.
entrega: Devotes oneself completely to a task or to people and shows wholehearted commitment.

Definition in Spanish

Renuncia voluntaria a intereses personales, comodidades o deseos propios para beneficiar a otras personas.

Word origin

From Latin abnegatio, noun of abnegare 'to deny' (ab- 'away' + negare 'to deny'), literally meaning denying oneself.

Usage tips

  • A formal, literary noun in Spanish; in everyday speech speakers often use 'sacrificio', 'entrega', or the verb phrase 'se sacrifica por' instead.

Other meanings

  • devotionnoun
  • selflessnessnoun

Opposites

  • interés propioself-interestnoun

Word lists with this word