牲 (shēng) - sacrificial animal & livestock

牲Tone 1

shēng ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

上姝

牲 · shēng

sacrificial animal;

livestock;

domestic animal;

victim;

martyr

sacrificial animallivestockdomestic animal

Usage highlights

sacrificial animallivestockdomestic animalanimal husbandrysacrifice oneselfsacrificial victim

Synonyms

  • 牺牲— sacrifice; sacrificial animal
  • 牲畜— livestock; domestic animals
  • 家畜— domestic animals

Antonyms

  • 人— human (as opposed to animal)
  • 神— deity (as opposed to sacrificial offering)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • They prepared a sacrificial animal for the ceremony (祭祀用的牺牲).
  • The farmer raises livestock (牲畜) on his farm.
  • He became a victim (牺牲品) of the political struggle.
  • She sacrificed her career for her family (为家庭牺牲事业).

Collocations

  • sacrificial animal(牺牲)
  • livestock(牲畜)
  • domestic animal(家畜)
  • animal husbandry(畜牧)
  • sacrifice oneself(牺牲自己)
  • sacrificial victim(牺牲品)

Idioms

  • Sacrifice one's life for righteousness(舍生取义)
  • Sacrifice oneself to save others(舍己救人)
  • Sacrifice the part to save the whole(牺牲局部保全整体)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to animals used in ancient sacrificial rituals to gods and ancestors.
  • In modern usage, extended metaphorically to mean sacrificing personal interests for greater good.
  • The character reflects ancient Chinese religious practices and agricultural society values.

FAQ