Korean word

희생하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationhisaenghada

Meaning

  • verbsacrifice oneself

Example

불행한 아이들을 구하기 위해 그는 희생했다.pul haeng han a i deu reul ku ha gi wi hae keu neun hi saeng haet tta

To save the unfortunate children, he sacrificed himself.

Illustration for 희생하다 (sacrifice oneself)

More examples

그는 꿈을 이루기 위해 많은 것을 희생했다.keu neun kku meul i ru gi wi hae ma neun keo seul hi saeng haet tta

He sacrificed many things to achieve his dream.

Core concept

Giving up personal safety, happiness, or comfort so that other people or a community can benefit.

Common phrases

  • 공동체를 위해 희생하다kong dong che reul wi hae hi saeng ha da

    sacrifice oneself for the community

  • 사랑하는 사람을 위해 희생하다sa rang ha neun sa ra meul wi hae hi saeng ha da

    sacrifice oneself for a loved one

  • 목표를 위해 희생하다mok pyo reul wi hae hi saeng ha da

    sacrifice oneself for a goal

Similar words

포기하다pogihada: Decide to stop pursuing a plan, goal, or hope.
바치다pachida: Devote time, effort, money, or care to a particular person or purpose.
양보하다yangbohada: Yield a turn, seat, place, or opportunity for another person to use.
내주다naejuda: Hand over an object, place, document, or money for another person to receive or use.

Definition in Korean

자신의 목숨이나 행복·편안함을 포기하고 다른 사람이나 공동체를 위해 바치는 동사cha si nui mok ssu mi na haeng bok pyeo nan ha meul po gi ha go ta reun sa ra mi na kong dong che reul wi hae pa chi neun tong sa

Word origin

희생 (hisaeng, "sacrifice") is a Sino-Korean noun rooted in the idea of a ritual offering, while 하다 (hada, "to do") forms the related verb.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Korean, this word can describe giving up time, feelings, or comfort, so it does not always imply losing one's life.

Other meanings

  • sacrificeverb

Related words

  • 희생정신hisaengjeongsinspirit of self-sacrificenoun
  • 희생적hisaengjeokself-sacrificingadjective
  • 희생자hisaengjavictimnoun

Word lists with this word