Translation guide
The English word 'sacrifice' covers giving up something valuable for a greater purpose, as well as the thing or person given up. In Japanese, different words and patterns are used depending on whether you are talking about personal sacrifice, ritual offerings, or metaphorical trade-offs.
Expressing personal sacrifice, such as time, money, or comfort, for someone else's benefit or a higher purpose.
The most common and versatile word for 'sacrifice' in the sense of giving up something valuable. Can be used for both concrete and abstract sacrifices.
He made many sacrifices for his family.
Sacrifice is part of success.
Verb phrase meaning 'to sacrifice something'. The object is marked with を.
He sacrificed his time to volunteer.
Self-sacrifice. Emphasizes giving up one's own interests or well-being.
I take my hat off to her self-sacrifice.
Literally 'to shave one's body', meaning to make painful sacrifices, often financially or physically, for someone else.
Parents sacrifice themselves to raise their children.
Referring to an animal, object, or person offered to a deity in a religious context.
A living sacrifice, typically an animal or person offered to a god. Also used metaphorically for a scapegoat.
In ancient times, sacrifices were offered.
Can also be used for ritual sacrifice, but 生贄 is more specific for living offerings.
Offerings, often food or objects, presented to gods or spirits. Less about 'sacrifice' in the sense of loss and more about giving.
In games, business, or negotiations, sacrificing a piece or resource to gain a better position.
Acknowledging that achieving something requires giving up something else, often used in expressions like 'worth the sacrifice'.
Pattern: sacrifice A to gain B.
I sacrificed sleep to pass the exam.
An unavoidable sacrifice. Used when the loss is regrettable but necessary.
English speakers often say 'I sacrificed my lunch break' for small things. In Japanese, 犠牲 sounds too heavy for trivial matters. Use 〜をやめて (gave up) or 〜を我慢して (put up with) instead.
I worked through my lunch break.
犠牲 is the general term for sacrifice, including abstract concepts. 生贄 specifically means a living sacrifice (human or animal) in a ritual context, and can imply a scapegoat. Use 生贄 only when the nuance of a living offering or victim is intended.
神に犠牲を捧げる。
To offer a sacrifice to a god.
神社に供物を供える。
To offer offerings at a shrine.
その作戦では彼が捨て駒にされた。
He was used as a sacrificial pawn in that strategy.
That was an unavoidable sacrifice.