French word

sacrifier

Pronunciation

IPA/sakʁifje/

Meaning

  • verbgive up

Example

Je ne veux pas sacrifier mon temps pour ce projet.

I do not want to give up my time for this project.

Illustration for sacrifier (give up)

More examples

Ils ont dû sacrifier leur sommeil pendant la période d'examens.

They had to sacrifice their sleep during the exam period.

Core concept

A valued resource set aside or handed over so that another priority can prevail.

Common phrases

  • sacrifier son sommeil

    sacrifice one's sleep

  • sacrifier ses études

    sacrifice one's studies

Similar words

abandonner: Stop pursuing or holding on to something before it is finished.
renoncer: Decide to give up a hoped-for outcome or planned course of action.
consacrer: Devote time or effort to a particular purpose.
céder: Give way to another person's demands or pressure.

Definition in French

Abandonner volontairement un bien, un droit ou un intérêt au profit d'une autre chose considérée comme plus importante, ou l'offrir comme sacrifice.

Word origin

French sacrifier comes from Latin sacrificare, formed from sacer, 'sacred', and facere, 'to do or make', and its ritual sense later extended to giving up something for a higher purpose.

Usage tips

  • With a direct object, sacrifier names the thing given up: sacrifier son temps pour un projet or sacrifier son temps à un projet.

Other meanings

  • offerverb
  • sacrificeverb

Opposites

Related words

  • sacrificesacrificenoun
  • sacrifiésacrificedadjective

Word lists with this word