Meaning and Usage
The word '희생' (huisaeng) means 'sacrifice' and is often used to describe giving up something valuable for the sake of others or a greater goal. It can refer to personal sacrifices like time, happiness, or comfort.
Common Contexts
'희생' is frequently used in family, work, or social contexts where someone puts others' needs before their own. It often implies a noble or selfless act.
Collocations and Patterns
- 희생하다: to sacrifice (an action verb form)
- 희생을 감수하다: to endure or accept sacrifice
- 희생 없이: without sacrifice
These patterns help express the act of sacrificing or the necessity of sacrifice.
Register and Nuance
'희생' is a formal noun and is appropriate in both spoken and written Korean. It carries a serious and respectful tone.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '희생' with '손해' (loss). While '손해' focuses on loss or damage, '희생' emphasizes a voluntary or meaningful giving up for a purpose.