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shě 舍 jǐ 己 wèi 为 rén 人

舍己为人 shě jǐ wèi rén

to sacrifice oneself for others; selfless

Literally: give-up self for others

Intermediate 🧭 Character & virtue
🃏 Practise intermediate chengyu

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Origin

Descriptive; no single source story. Based on a line in the Analects where Confucius praises a disciple's ability to set aside his own wishes.

How to use it

Predicate or attributive; positive. Often 舍己为人的精神.

Example sentences

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  1. 那位消防员舍己为人，救出了三个孩子。
    Nà wèi xiāofángyuán shě jǐ wèi rén, jiùchū le sān gè háizi.
    That firefighter risked himself for others and rescued three children.
    that (measure) firefighter give-up self for others, rescue-out (particle) three (measure) child
  2. 我们应该学习他舍己为人的精神。
    Wǒmen yīnggāi xuéxí tā shě jǐ wèi rén de jīngshén.
    We should learn from his selfless spirit.
    we should learn he give-up self for others (particle) spirit

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