shě jǐ wèi rén: 舍己为人 - To Sacrifice Oneself for Others

• Keywords: 舍己为人, she ji wei ren, Chinese idiom for sacrifice, altruism in Chinese, self-sacrifice meaning, Chinese chengyu, what does shejijweiren mean, Chinese values, collectivism, heroism in China
• Summary: Discover the profound meaning of the Chinese idiom (chengyu) 舍己为人 (shě jǐ wèi rén), which translates to “to sacrifice oneself for others.” This page explores the deep cultural value of altruism and self-sacrifice in China, breaking down each character and providing practical examples. Learn how this powerful concept of heroism and collectivism is used in modern Chinese society, and distinguish it from simpler acts of kindness.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): shě jǐ wèi rén
• Part of Speech: Chengyu (Chinese Idiom) / Verb Phrase
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: To sacrifice one's own interests for the sake of other people.
• In a Nutshell: 舍己为人 (shě jǐ wèi rén) is the embodiment of ultimate selflessness. It describes an action where a person gives up something significant—their time, comfort, safety, or even their life—to help others. It's not just about being helpful; it's about making a genuine sacrifice. This term is reserved for acts of great virtue and heroism and is deeply respected in Chinese culture.

• 舍 (shě): To give up, abandon, or sacrifice.
• 己 (jǐ): Oneself, self.
• 为 (wèi): For, for the sake of, on behalf of.
• 人 (rén): People, others.

These four characters combine literally and powerfully to mean “to abandon oneself for other people.” The structure is simple and direct, creating a clear picture of putting the needs of others completely before one's own.

舍己为人 is more than just a phrase; it's a cornerstone of traditional and modern Chinese morality. It reflects a collectivist mindset where the well-being of the group, community, or nation is often prioritized over the individual's desires. Historically, this ideal was promoted through Confucian values, emphasizing social duty and responsibility. In modern China, the “spirit of 舍己为人” is often celebrated in state media and education to praise heroes like firefighters, doctors fighting an epidemic, or soldiers. The famous soldier Lei Feng (雷锋) is a national icon whose life story is taught as a model of 舍己为人. Comparison to Western Culture: While the West has the concept of “altruism” or “self-sacrifice,” 舍己为人 carries a heavier weight and a stronger sense of social duty. In many individualistic Western cultures, extreme self-sacrifice is often seen as a personal choice, a noble but not necessarily expected act. In contrast, 舍己为人 is held up as a paramount public virtue in China, an ideal that citizens, especially those in positions of responsibility, should strive for. It's less about personal charity and more about fulfilling a fundamental moral obligation to society.

This is a very formal and laudatory (praise-filled) idiom. You would not use it to describe everyday, minor acts of kindness. Doing so would sound overly dramatic or even sarcastic.

• Formal Praise: It is most commonly used in news reports, official commendations, formal speeches, and literature to describe exemplary behavior. You'll often hear it used for soldiers, doctors, teachers, and firefighters who go above and beyond their duty at great personal cost.
• Moral Storytelling: The term is frequently used in textbooks and stories to teach children about morality and the importance of selflessness.
• Connotation: The connotation is overwhelmingly positive and reverent. It implies deep respect and admiration for the person being described.

• Example 1:
  • 消防员们舍己为人的精神值得我们所有人学习。
  • Pīnyīn: Xiāofángyuánmen shě jǐ wèi rén de jīngshén zhídé wǒmen suǒyǒu rén xuéxí.
  • English: The spirit of sacrificing for others shown by the firefighters is worthy of all of us learning from.
  • Analysis: This is a classic, formal usage, praising public servants for their heroism. The term “精神” (jīngshén - spirit) is often paired with it.
• Example 2:
  • 在疫情期间，许多医生和护士表现出了舍己为人的高尚品格。
  • Pīnyīn: Zài yìqíng qījiān, xǔduō yīshēng hé hùshì biǎoxiàn chūle shě jǐ wèi rén de gāoshàng pǐngé.
  • English: During the pandemic, many doctors and nurses displayed the noble character of sacrificing themselves for others.
  • Analysis: This example highlights using the idiom to praise professionals during a crisis. “高尚品格” (gāoshàng pǐngé - noble character) reinforces the formality.
• Example 3:
  • 他为了救那个落水的孩子，舍己为人，献出了自己宝贵的生命。
  • Pīnyīn: Tā wèile jiù nàge luòshuǐ de háizi, shě jǐ wèi rén, xiànchūle zìjǐ bǎoguì de shēngmìng.
  • English: In order to save that drowning child, he sacrificed himself for others, giving up his own precious life.
  • Analysis: This illustrates the most extreme meaning of the term—sacrificing one's own life. It's used in contexts of ultimate heroism.
• Example 4:
  • 父母对子女的爱，在某种程度上也是一种舍己为人。
  • Pīnyīn: Fùmǔ duì zǐnǚ de ài, zài mǒu zhǒng chéngdù shàng yěshì yī zhǒng shě jǐ wèi rén.
  • English: A parent's love for their child is, to a certain extent, also a form of sacrificing for others.
  • Analysis: Here, the idiom is used slightly more metaphorically to describe the selfless nature of parental love, which involves constant sacrifice of time, money, and energy.
• Example 5:
  • 这位老师三十年如一日地在山区教书，真是舍己为人的典范。
  • Pīnyīn: Zhè wèi lǎoshī sānshí nián rú yī rì de zài shānqū jiāoshū, zhēnshi shě jǐ wèi rén de diǎnfàn.
  • English: This teacher has taught in the mountainous region for thirty years as if it were a single day; he is truly a model of sacrificing for others.
  • Analysis: This shows the sacrifice doesn't have to be a single, dramatic act. It can be a long-term dedication that involves giving up personal comfort and opportunity.
• Example 6:
  • 我们不应该要求每个人都做到舍己为人，但我们应该尊敬那些做到的人。
  • Pīnyīn: Wǒmen bù yìnggāi yāoqiú měi ge rén dōu zuòdào shě jǐ wèi rén, dàn wǒmen yīnggāi zūnjìng nàxiē zuòdào de rén.
  • English: We shouldn't demand that everyone sacrifice themselves for others, but we should respect those who do.
  • Analysis: This sentence provides a realistic perspective on the idiom, acknowledging it as a high ideal that is not easily attainable by all.
• Example 7:
  • 在古代故事里，英雄总是具有舍己为人的品质。
  • Pīnyīn: Zài gǔdài gùshì lǐ, yīngxióng zǒngshì jùyǒu shě jǐ wèi rén de pǐnzhì.
  • English: In ancient stories, heroes always possess the quality of sacrificing for others.
  • Analysis: This links the term to the classic archetype of a hero in Chinese culture.
• Example 8:
  • 他的捐款帮助了整个村庄，这种舍己为人的行为感动了所有人。
  • Pīnyīn: Tā de juānkuǎn bāngzhùle zhěnggè cūnzhuāng, zhè zhǒng shě jǐ wèi rén de xíngwéi gǎndòngle suǒyǒu rén.
  • English: His donation helped the entire village; this act of sacrificing for others moved everyone.
  • Analysis: This shows that the “sacrifice” can also be financial, especially if it's a significant amount that impacts the giver.
• Example 9:
  • 作为团队的领导，他常常需要有舍己为人的觉悟，把团队的利益放在第一位。
  • Pīnyīn: Zuòwéi tuánduì de lǐngdǎo, tā chángcháng xūyào yǒu shě jǐ wèi rén de juéwù, bǎ tuánduì de lìyì fàng zài dì yī wèi.
  • English: As the team leader, he often needs to have the consciousness of sacrificing for others, putting the team's interests first.
  • Analysis: In a business or team context, this describes a leader who takes responsibility for failures and gives credit for successes to the team, sacrificing personal gain for the group's benefit.
• Example 10:
  • 你为了让我先走，自己留下来加班，这可真是舍己为人啊！
  • Pīnyīn: Nǐ wèile ràng wǒ xiān zǒu, zìjǐ liú xiàlái jiābān, zhè kě zhēnshi shě jǐ wèi rén a!
  • English: You stayed behind to work overtime just to let me leave first, that's really sacrificing for others!
  • Analysis: This is a rare, slightly hyperbolic use among friends. The tone would be teasing and appreciative, exaggerating the friend's kindness to show gratitude. It's only used if the sacrifice (like working late) is genuinely inconvenient.

• Don't use it for small favors. The most common mistake is to use 舍己为人 for minor acts of kindness. Helping a classmate with homework or giving your seat to someone on the bus is not 舍己为人. That is better described as 乐于助人 (lè yú zhù rén), which means “happy to help others.”
  • Incorrect: 他帮我拿了行李，真是舍己为人。(Tā bāng wǒ nále xínglǐ, zhēnshi shě jǐ wèi rén.) - He helped me with my luggage, he's so self-sacrificing. (This sounds weird and over-the-top).
  • Correct: 他帮我拿了行李，真是个乐于助人的人。(Tā bāng wǒ nále xínglǐ, zhēnshi ge lè yú zhù rén de rén.) - He helped me with my luggage, he's such a helpful person.
• It Implies a Real Loss. The core of 舍己为人 is the “舍” (shě) - the giving up. The person performing the act must incur a significant cost or loss, whether it's their safety, a huge amount of time, a career opportunity, or their life. If there's no real sacrifice, the term doesn't apply.

• 大公无私 (dà gōng wú sī) - Selfless and impartial; devoted to public interests without any thought of personal gain. A very close synonym.
• 奋不顾身 (fèn bù gù shēn) - To dash forward bravely without thinking of one's own safety. This describes the action that demonstrates the spirit of 舍己为人.
• 见义勇为 (jiàn yì yǒng wéi) - To see what is right and have the courage to do it. This is about acting on a moral impulse, which often leads to 舍己为人.
• 公而忘私 (gōng ér wàng sī) - To be so devoted to public duty that one forgets private affairs. Similar to 舍己为人, but often used specifically for officials or those with public responsibilities.
• 雷锋精神 (Léi Fēng jīngshén) - The Spirit of Lei Feng. Refers to the political and cultural ideal of selfless service, modeled after the soldier Lei Feng, who embodies 舍己为人.
• 乐于助人 (lè yú zhù rén) - Happy to help others. A much more common and less intense term for everyday helpfulness and kindness.
• 自私自利 (zì sī zì lì) - Selfish; only concerned with one's own interests. The direct antonym of 舍己为人.