牺牲

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牺牲 [2025/08/11 09:58] – created xiaoer牺牲 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1
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-====== xīshēng: 牺牲 - Sacrifice, To Give Up, To Die for a Cause ====== +
-===== Quick Summary ===== +
-  * **Keywords:** xisheng, 牺牲, sacrifice in Chinese, what does xisheng mean, Chinese word for sacrifice, give up something for a cause, martyrdom in Chinese, Chinese culture, making a sacrifice, HSK 5 vocabulary. +
-  * **Summary:** Discover the deep meaning of **牺牲 (xīshēng)**, the powerful Chinese word for "sacrifice." This term goes beyond a simple trade-off, encompassing everything from a parent giving up personal time for their child, to the ultimate sacrifice of one's life for a country or ideal. Learn how **牺牲 (xīshēng)** is rooted in ancient rituals and modern Chinese cultural values like collectivism, and understand how to use it correctly in contexts ranging from heroic tales to everyday conversation. +
-===== Core Meaning ===== +
-  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** xīshēng +
-  * **Part of Speech:** Verb, Noun +
-  * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 +
-  * **Concise Definition:** To sacrifice; to give up something valuable for a greater purpose or cause. +
-  * **In a Nutshell:** **牺牲 (xīshēng)** is a word with significant emotional weight. It's not just about "giving something up"; it's about surrendering something precious—time, dreams, money, or even life itself—for a person, belief, or group that is considered more important. The feeling is often solemn and noble, reflecting a difficult but virtuous choice. It can describe a mother's selfless dedication to her family just as powerfully as a soldier's ultimate sacrifice for their nation. +
-===== Character Breakdown ===== +
-  * **牺 (xī):** This character is composed of **牛 (niú)**, meaning "ox/cow," and **义 (yì)**, which can mean "righteousness." Historically, **牺** referred to a pure-colored, unblemished animal (often an ox) set aside for a righteous or sacred sacrificial ritual. +
-  * **牲 (shēng):** This character is composed of **牛 (niú)**, "ox/cow," and **生 (shēng)**, meaning "life" or "to be born." It refers more broadly to a living domestic animal intended for sacrifice or food. +
-Together, **牺牲 (xīshēng)** originally meant "sacrificial animals." The term has evolved from its literal, ancient ritualistic meaning to a powerful metaphor. The solemnity and importance of offering something precious to a higher power (be it gods, ancestors, or a national ideal) is retained in its modern usage, signifying a profound and meaningful act of self-denial for a greater good. +
-===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== +
-The concept of **牺牲 (xīshēng)** is deeply woven into the fabric of Chinese culture, largely influenced by the principle of **[[集体主义]] (jítǐ zhǔyì) - collectivism**. In a collectivist society, the well-being of the group—the family, the company, the nation—is often prioritized over the desires and ambitions of the individual. +
-To a Western learner, "sacrifice" might sometimes carry a negative connotation, implying a loss of personal freedom or a compromise on one's own happiness. While this can be true for **牺牲** as well, it is more frequently presented and understood as a virtue. The parent who **牺牲 (xīshēng)**s their personal hobbies for their child's education, or the employee who **牺牲 (xīshēng)**s their weekend for a team project, is often seen as noble and praiseworthy, not as a victim. +
-This is especially prominent in national narratives. Chinese history and media are filled with stories of **[[烈士]] (lièshì) - martyrs** and heroes who made the ultimate **牺牲** for the country. This contrasts with the Western emphasis on individualism, where personal fulfillment and self-actualization are often the highest goals, and sacrifice is framed more as a personal choice rather than a societal expectation. +
-===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== +
-The connotation of **牺牲 (xīshēng)** changes significantly depending on the context. +
-  * **Formal and Solemn:** In its most serious sense, it refers to giving up one's life for a noble cause. This is common in news reports, historical texts, and official commemorations about soldiers, revolutionaries, or firefighters. +
-  * **Personal and Serious:** It is frequently used to describe the selfless acts within a family. For example, parents sacrificing their youth, money, and energy for their children is a very common and respected expression of familial love. +
-  * **Figurative and Informal:** In casual conversation, especially among younger people, **牺牲** can be used hyperbolically to describe giving up something minor for a desired outcome. The tone here is much lighter, often slightly dramatic or humorous. For example, "sacrificing" the joy of eating cake to stay on a diet. +
-  * **Business and Strategy (Often Negative):** In a business context, it can mean sacrificing one thing for another, such as "sacrificing quality for lower costs." Here, the connotation is often negative, implying a poor trade-off. +
-===== Example Sentences ===== +
-  * **Example 1:** +
-    * 为了保卫国家，很多年轻的士兵**牺牲**了生命。 +
-    * Pinyin: Wèile bǎowèi guójiā, hěnduō niánqīng de shìbīng **xīshēng**le shēngmìng. +
-    * English: To defend the country, many young soldiers sacrificed their lives. +
-    * Analysis: This is the most formal and literal use of **牺牲**, referring to the ultimate sacrifice. The tone is solemn and respectful. +
-  * **Example 2:** +
-    * 父母为了孩子，总是愿意**牺牲**自己的时间和精力。 +
-    * Pinyin: Fùmǔ wèile háizi, zǒngshì yuànyì **xīshēng** zìjǐ de shíjiān hé jīnglì. +
-    * English: Parents are always willing to sacrifice their own time and energy for their children. +
-    * Analysis: This is a very common and culturally significant usage. It portrays sacrifice as a noble and expected part of parental love. +
-  * **Example 3:** +
-    * 为了完成这个项目，我**牺牲**了好几个周末。 +
-    * Pinyin: Wèile wánchéng zhège xiàngmù, wǒ **xīshēng**le hǎojǐ gè zhōumò. +
-    * English: To finish this project, I sacrificed several weekends. +
-    * Analysis: A common workplace scenario. It implies a significant but non-life-threatening sacrifice for professional goals. The speaker is emphasizing their dedication. +
-  * **Example 4:** +
-    * 她**牺牲**了高薪的职位，去追求自己的艺术梦想。 +
-    * Pinyin: Tā **xīshēng**le gāoxīn de zhíwèi, qù zhuīqiú zìjǐ de yìshù mèngxiǎng. +
-    * English: She sacrificed a high-paying position to pursue her artistic dream. +
-    * Analysis: This highlights a major life choice. The word **牺牲** emphasizes the value of what she gave up, making her pursuit of the dream seem more noble. +
-  * **Example 5:** +
-    * 唉，为了减肥，我只好**牺牲**我最爱的巧克力蛋糕了。 +
-    * Pinyin: Āi, wèile jiǎnféi, wǒ zhǐhǎo **xīshēng** wǒ zuì'ài de qiǎokèlì dàngāole. +
-    * English: Sigh, in order to lose weight, I have no choice but to sacrifice my beloved chocolate cake. +
-    * Analysis: This is an informal, hyperbolic usage. The speaker is being dramatic and humorous. It's a low-stakes "sacrifice." +
-  * **Example 6:** +
-    * 我们不能为了降低成本而**牺牲**产品质量。 +
-    * Pinyin: Wǒmen bùnéng wèile jiàngdī chéngběn ér **xīshēng** chǎnpǐn zhìliàng. +
-    * English: We cannot sacrifice product quality in order to reduce costs. +
-    * Analysis: A common business context. Here, **牺牲** has a negative connotation, implying a foolish or short-sighted trade-off. +
-  * **Example 7:** +
-    * 他的**牺牲**精神值得我们所有人学习。 +
-    * Pinyin: Tā de **xīshēng** jīngshén zhídé wǒmen suǒyǒu rén xuéxí. +
-    * English: His spirit of sacrifice is worthy of us all to learn from. +
-    * Analysis: Here, **牺牲** is used as part of a noun phrase (**牺牲精神** - spirit of sacrifice). It refers to the abstract quality of being willing to sacrifice. +
-  * **Example 8:** +
-    * 球队的胜利是建立在每个队员的个人**牺牲**之上的。 +
-    * Pinyin: Qiúduì de shènglì shì jiànlì zài měi gè duìyuán de gèrén **xīshēng** zhī shàng de. +
-    * English: The team's victory was built upon the personal sacrifices of every team member. +
-    * Analysis: In this sentence, **牺牲** is used as a noun. It refers to the small things each player gave up (e.g., personal glory, playing time) for the good of the team. +
-  * **Example 9:** +
-    * 在爱情中，有时候需要一些**牺牲**。 +
-    * Pinyin: Zài àiqíng zhōng, yǒushíhou xūyào yīxiē **xīshēng**. +
-    * English: In love, sometimes some sacrifices are needed. +
-    * Analysis: Used as a noun in the context of relationships. It refers to compromise and putting the other person's needs first. +
-  * **Example 10:** +
-    * 我们永远不会忘记革命先烈的**牺牲**。 +
-    * Pinyin: Wǒmen yǒngyuǎn bùhuì wàngjì gémìng xiānliè de **xīshēng**. +
-    * English: We will never forget the sacrifice of the revolutionary martyrs. +
-    * Analysis: A very formal and patriotic use of **牺牲** as a noun. It's often used in political speeches and on national holidays. +
-===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== +
-  * **Mistake 1: Overusing it for trivial trade-offs.** +
-    * A beginner might say: "我在队伍里牺牲了我的位置给你" (I sacrificed my spot in line for you). This sounds far too dramatic. +
-    * **Correction:** For simple acts of yielding or letting someone go first, use **[[让]] (ràng)**. "我把位置让给你了" (Wǒ bǎ wèizhì ràng gěi nǐle) - "I gave my spot to you." Use **牺牲** when the loss feels significant and is for a greater good. +
-  * **Mistake 2: Confusing it with a simple "to give up."** +
-    * **牺牲 (xīshēng)** implies giving something up **for** a reason or a higher purpose. +
-    * **[[放弃]] (fàngqì)** means "to give up" or "abandon" in a more neutral sense, often without an explicit trade-off for a greater good. +
-    * **Incorrect:** 我牺牲吸烟 (Wǒ xīshēng xīyān - I sacrifice smoking.) +
-    * **Correct:** 我**放弃**吸烟了 (Wǒ fàngqì xīyān le - I've given up smoking.) +
-    * **Correct use of 牺牲:** 为了健康，我愿意**牺牲**吸烟的快乐。(Wèile jiànkāng, wǒ yuànyì **xīshēng** xīyān de kuàilè - For my health, I'm willing to sacrifice the pleasure of smoking.) +
-  * **"False Friend" Nuance: Not for all English uses of "sacrifice."** +
-    * In English, we use "sacrifice" for strategic moves in games, like a "sacrifice fly" in baseball or "sacrificing a pawn" in chess. While Chinese has specific terms for these (高飞牺牲打 gāofēi xīshēngdǎ, 弃子 qìzǐ), using **牺牲** alone would sound too noble and heavy for a simple game strategy. Remember, **牺牲** generally implies a moral or emotional weight that isn't present in a purely strategic trade. +
-===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== +
-  * [[放弃]] (fàngqì) - To give up; to abandon. A neutral term that lacks the noble connotation of **牺牲**. You **放弃** a plan, but you **牺牲** your time for a cause. +
-  * [[奉献]] (fèngxiàn) - To dedicate; to devote. Similar to **牺牲**, but focuses on the positive act of contributing one's life or effort, rather than the loss. It feels more proactive and joyful. +
-  * [[贡献]] (gòngxiàn) - To contribute; contribution. A very common and general term. A **贡献** is a positive input, while a **牺牲** is a valuable loss for a greater good. +
-  * [[代价]] (dàijià) - Price; cost. The negative consequence or what you must give up to achieve something. A sacrifice can be the **代价** of success. +
-  * [[烈士]] (lièshì) - Martyr. A noun for a person who has made the ultimate **牺牲** for their country or a cause. +
-  * [[舍己为人]] (shě jǐ wèi rén) - An idiom meaning "to sacrifice oneself for others." It's a formal and highly virtuous term that embodies the spirit of **牺牲**. +
-  * [[集体主义]] (jítǐ zhǔyì) - Collectivism. The core cultural value that provides the social context for why personal **牺牲** is often highly valued in China. +
-  * [[付出]] (fùchū) - To pay; to expend (effort, time, money). A broader, more neutral term than **牺牲**. All sacrifices involve **付出**, but not all **付出** is a sacrifice. You **付出** effort on a normal project, but you **牺牲** your health for a critical one.+