Japanese Conversation · Level 134
61 words
Japanese word
犠牲
Pronunciation
Romajigisei
Meaning
- nounsacrifice
Example
彼は家族のために自由を犠牲にしました。kare wa ka zoku no ta me ni ji yū o gi sei ni shi ma shi ta
He sacrificed his freedom for his family.
More examples
健康を犠牲にしてまで、成功を求めてはいけません。ken kō o gi sei ni shi te ma de sei kō o moto me te wa i ke ma se n
You should not pursue success at the expense of your health.
Core concept
Refers to something valuable or a person who is given up, harmed, or lost for a purpose or for someone else's benefit.
Common phrases
犠牲を払うgi sei o hara u
make a sacrifice
犠牲になるgi sei ni na ru
be sacrificed
犠牲にするgi sei ni su ru
sacrifice
Similar words
代償daishō: A cost accepted or paid to gain a desired result.
Definition in Japanese
ある目的のために大切なものを差し出して失うこと。また、災害や事件などによって被害を受ける人。a ru moku teki no ta me ni tai setsu na mo no o sa shi da shi te ushina u ko to ma ta sai gai ya ji ken na do ni yo tte hi gai o u ke ru hito
Word origin
The Sino-Japanese compound 犠牲 (gisei) combines 犠 (gi, "sacrificial animal") and 牲 (sei, "offering animal"), referring originally to animals offered in a ritual.
Usage tips
- In everyday Japanese, 犠牲にする (gisei ni suru) means to sacrifice something, while 犠牲になる (gisei ni naru) means to become the thing or person sacrificed.