hei1犧牺
Jyutpinghei1
Yalehēi
Definition
Sacrificial animal; sacrifice.
neutraldaily actionsemotion
How it's used
Primarily used in formal or serious contexts, this term carries a heavy emotional weight when referring to giving up something precious. It is frequently applied to abstract concepts like time, freedom, or principles rather than just physical objects. While it can describe a literal sacrifice in a religious or historical sense, its most common modern usage relates to personal loss for a greater cause.
Examples
He sacrificed a lot for his ideals.
Are you willing to sacrifice your rest time for the job?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this for minor inconveniences or small trade-offs, as it implies a significant or painful loss. For everyday situations where you simply give up or let go of something, use 捨棄 or 讓出 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
