Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Sacrifice" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "sacrifice", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
犠牲
ぎせい (gisei)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
生け贄
いけにえ (ikenie)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "sacrifice" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 犠牲 and 生け贄.
In Japanese, 犠牲 (ぎせい (gisei)) is typically associated with "sacrifice, victim" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Can refer to giving up something valuable for a greater good, or a person/thing suffering as a result of something..
On the other hand, 生け贄 (いけにえ (ikenie)) maps to "sacrifice (especially human or animal for a deity); victim" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents 神への捧げ物として動植物、特に生命を供することを指します。転じて、ある目的のために犠牲になる人や物を比喩的に表すこともあります。. A literal translation of "sacrifice" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "犠牲"
多くの人々の犠牲の上に、この平和は築かれた。
This peace was built upon the sacrifice of many people.
Bilingual Context for "生け贄"
古代の文明では、神々に生け贄を捧げる儀式があった。
In ancient civilizations, there were rituals of offering sacrifices to the gods.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "多くの人々の ＿＿＿ の上に、この平和は築かれた。" (Meaning: "This peace was built upon the sacrifice of many people.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "犠牲" fits here because it means "sacrifice, victim" in the context of: "This peace was built upon the sacrifice of many people.". "生け贄" represents "sacrifice (especially human or animal for a deity); victim".