牺牲 xīshēng to sacrifice one's life
to sacrifice one's life; to sacrifice (something valued); beast slaughtered as a sacrifice
How to remember 牺牲: 牺 to sacrifice + 牲 sacrificial animal = to sacrifice one's life.
Characters
How it is used
- To sacrifice - give up one's life, or forgo something valued - 为国牺牲 (wèi guó xīshēng) to die for one's country; 牺牲休息时间 (xīshēng xiūxi shíjiān) to give up rest time.
- Two levels: the solemn 'lay down one's life' and the everyday 'sacrifice X for Y'; context distinguishes them.
- Weighty, noble register; not used for trivial trade-offs lightly.
Example sentences
- 为了救许多人牺牲一个人是否道德？ Wèile jiù xǔduō rén xīshēng yígè rén shìfǒu dàodé?Would it be ethical to sacrifice one person to save many?