Spanish word

sacrificar

Pronunciation

IPA/sakɾifiˈkaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbsacrifice

Example

No quiero sacrificar mi tiempo por eso.

I don't want to sacrifice my time for that.

Illustration for sacrificar (sacrifice)

More examples

Ella está dispuesta a sacrificar su comodidad por su familia.

She is willing to sacrifice her comfort for her family.

Core concept

Giving up something important, often involving personal loss, to reach a goal.

Common phrases

  • sacrificar tiempo

    sacrifice time

  • sacrificar algo por alguien

    sacrifice something for someone

  • sacrificar la comodidad

    sacrifice comfort

Similar words

renunciar: Voluntarily gives up a right, claim, or opportunity.
ofrecer: Offers time, help, or belongings for another person to use or accept.
donar: Gives money or goods to a person or organization without expecting payment.
ceder: Yields a place, turn, or use to someone else, stopping one's own use.

Definition in Spanish

Renunciar o entregar algo importante, a veces con pérdida para quien lo hace, para alcanzar un fin o ayudar a otros.

Word origin

The verb comes from Latin sacrificare (sacer 'sacred' + facere 'to make') and shifts from ritual offerings to the general act of giving up something important.

Usage tips

  • Spanish commonly uses sacrificar + direct object for the thing given up and sacrificarse when someone sacrifices themselves, while renunciar or dedicar is more natural for small concessions.

Other meanings

  • give upverb

Opposites

Related words

  • sacrificiosacrificenoun
  • sacrificadoself-sacrificingadjective

Word lists with this word