Meaning and Usage
The word '희생자' (huisaengja) means 'victim' or 'sacrificed person.' It is commonly used to refer to people who suffer harm or loss, especially in accidents, disasters, or conflicts.
Common Contexts
You will often hear '희생자' in news reports about accidents, crimes, or wars. It emphasizes the person who has suffered or lost something due to an unfortunate event.
Collocations and Patterns
- 희생자 발생 (huisaengja balseong): occurrence of victims, used in reports about accidents or disasters.
- 희생자가 되다 (huisaengja ga doeda): to become a victim, often used as a warning or advice.
- 많은 희생자 (manheun huisaengja): many victims, used to describe the scale of harm.
Register and Politeness
'희생자' is a neutral noun and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is most common in formal or news language.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '희생자' with '피해자' (pihaeja), which also means 'victim' but is more often used for victims of crimes or damages. '희생자' often implies a sacrifice or loss beyond just damage, such as death or serious harm.