Definition

Verb: - To lay down one's life; to sacrifice one's life: This verb specifically describes the act of dying for a noble cause, such as one's country, duty, or ideals. It implies a conscious or willing sacrifice, not an accidental death. The word carries a solemn and heroic connotation.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Nhiều chiến sĩ đã bỏ mình vì độc lập dân tộc. (Many soldiers laid down their lives for national independence.)
  • Anh ấy sẵn sàng bỏ mình để bảo vệ đồng đội. (He was ready to sacrifice his life to protect his comrades.)
  • Câu chuyện kể về những người bỏ mình vì nhiệm vụ. (The story is about those who laid down their lives for their duty.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is almost exclusively used in formal, literary, or solemn contexts, often related to war, patriotism, or high-stakes duty.
• It is typically used in the past tense to describe a completed act of sacrifice.
• The cause of death is always introduced with the preposition "vì" (for/because of).

Variants and Related Words

• Hy sinh (verb): To sacrifice. This is a more general and commonly used term for sacrifice, which can refer to life, time, comfort, etc. "Bỏ mình" is a specific, stronger subset of "hy sinh" focused solely on the ultimate sacrifice of life.
  • Hy sinh bản thân (to sacrifice oneself)
• Tử vì đạo (verb phrase): To die for a religion or cause (often used in a religious context).
• Tử tiết (verb): To die to preserve one's honor or chastity (historical/literary).

Synonyms

• To sacrifice oneself: Tự nguyện hiến dâng mạng sống.
• To die for a cause: Chết vì một lý tưởng.
• To perish in the line of duty: Tử nạn khi làm nhiệm vụ (can be less voluntary).

Related Phrases

• Bỏ mình vì nước: To lay down one's life for the country.
• Bỏ mình vì dân: To lay down one's life for the people.
• Bỏ mình nơi chiến trường: To lay down one's life on the battlefield.

Notes on Meaning

• Core Meaning: The primary and most common meaning is the voluntary or accepted sacrifice of one's life for a greater good.
• Nuance: It emphasizes the ("bỏ") one's self/life behind for a purpose, highlighting the abandonment of life for the cause. It is not used for accidental deaths or deaths from natural causes.

verb

1. To lay down one's life
   • vì nước bỏ mình
     to lay down one's life for the country
   • bỏ mình vì nhiệm vụ
     to lay down one's life for one's duty