Chinese Conversation · Level 80
91 words
Chinese word
牺牲
Pronunciation
Pinyinxī shēng
Meaning
- verbsacrifice
Example
不要为了工作牺牲健康。bú yào wèi le gōng zuò xī shēng jiàn kāng
Don't sacrifice your health for work.
More examples
运动员为了胜利不得不牺牲休息时间。yùn dòng yuán wèi le shèng lì bù dé bù xī shēng xiū xī shí jiān
The athlete has to sacrifice rest time for victory.
Core concept
Sets aside someone or something valued so a goal or another person's welfare can take priority, with the loss accepted as a cost.
Common phrases
牺牲自己xī shēng zì jǐ
sacrifice oneself
牺牲健康xī shēng jiàn kāng
sacrifice one's health
牺牲休息时间xī shēng xiū xī shí jiān
sacrifice rest time
Similar words
放弃fàng qì: Choose to stop pursuing or keeping a right, opportunity, or plan.
舍弃shě qì: Throw away or leave behind something considered unnecessary.
付出fù chū: Spend time, energy, or resources in working toward a result.
Definition in Chinese
为了达到某种目的或保护他人而自愿放弃自己的利益、权利或舒适，常带有付出代价的含义。wèi le dá dào móu zhǒng mù dì huò bǎo hù tā rén ér zì yuàn fàng qì zì jǐ de lì yì quán lì huò shū shì cháng dài yǒu fù chū dài jià de hán yì
Word origin
牺牲 (xīshēng, "sacrifice") originally referred to animals used in ritual offerings, then broadened to the giving up of something valuable for a purpose.
Usage tips
- In everyday conversation, this verb is usually stronger than English "give up," so it suits a meaningful cost such as health or rights rather than a minor inconvenience.