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March 24, 2026
犧xī(xi1)
The character 犧 (xī) means to sacrifice or to give up something valuable, often for a cause or for others. It is commonly used in contexts discussing selflessness or martyrdom, emphasizing the act of giving one's life or resources for a greater good.
Strokes20Radical牛Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of sacrifice is often revered, particularly in relation to historical figures or martyrs who laid down their lives for the nation. This aligns with the Confucian value of selflessness and duty to family and society.
Memory Tip
Imagine a sheep (犭 is a radical related to animals) that willingly steps forward to sacrifice itself for the sake of its flock. The pronunciation 'xī' sounds like 'sheep', which helps you remember the character's meaning related to sacrifice.
Meanings of 犧
xī(xi1)
1to sacrifice, to give up, to die for a cause
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 犧
犧Simplified
20Strokes
牛Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 犧
Podcast: 犧
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AI Study Notes for 犧
Quick Contrast
犧 (sacrifice) vs 讓 (ràng, yield) — choose 犧 for a connotation of selfless giving, while 讓 emphasizes allowing or permitting.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a sheep (犭 is a radical related to animals) that willingly steps forward to sacrifice itself for the sake of its flock. The pronunciation 'xī' sounds like 'sheep', which helps you remember the character's meaning related to sacrifice.
Usage Notes
Be cautious when using 犧 as it often carries a heavy emotional weight; it is more suitable for formal discussions about sacrifice or loss. Common collocations include 犧牲 (xīshēng - to sacrifice) and 犧牲品 (xīshēngpǐn - sacrificial victim). Avoid using it in light-hearted contexts.
HSK Study Tips
Although 犧 is not included in standard HSK levels, it connects with HSK vocabulary related to emotions and actions, such as 牺牲 (xīshēng). Focus on understanding the emotional implications and how it’s used in literature and speeches.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of sacrifice is often revered, particularly in relation to historical figures or martyrs who laid down their lives for the nation. This aligns with the Confucian value of selflessness and duty to family and society.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 犧 with similar-sounding characters like 西 (xī - west), leading to incorrect meanings. Remember that 犧 specifically relates to the concept of sacrifice, not direction.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 犧
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Cultural Notes for 犧
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of sacrifice is often revered, particularly in relation to historical figures or martyrs who laid down their lives for the nation. This aligns with the Confucian value of selflessness and duty to family and society.
Word Family of 犧
Words Containing This Character6
牺牲xīshēngto sacrifice one's life犧牲
牺牲品sacrificial victim犧牲品
牺牲者sacrificial victim犧牲者
英勇牺牲to heroically sacrifice one's life英勇犧牲
牺xīsacrifice犧
庖牺氏another name for 伏羲[FúXī], consort of 女媧|女娲[Nǚwā]庖犧氏
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 牺牲 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 犧
In modern usage, 犧 emphasizes personal sacrifices made for others, often in social or political movements.
It's frequently used to portray characters who make significant sacrifices, illustrating themes of heroism and selflessness.
It's less common in casual conversation but may arise in discussions about values, morality, or historical events.
