xả thân

Definition

Verb:
- To sacrifice one's life; to sacrifice oneself: To willingly give up one's own life or safety for a greater cause, such as one's country, a noble ideal, or to save others. It implies a complete and selfless dedication, often in a heroic context.
- To throw oneself into; to devote oneself wholeheartedly: In a broader, often less literal sense, it means to commit all of one's energy and effort to a task or mission without regard for personal comfort or safety.

Usage Examples

Verb:
- Người lính sẵn sàng xả thân vì Tổ quốc. (The soldier was ready to sacrifice his life for the Fatherland.)
- Cô ấy xả thân vào công việc cứu hộ. (She threw herself into the rescue work.)
- Họ xả thân chiến đấu đến viên đạn cuối cùng. (They fought selflessly until the last bullet.)

Advanced Usage

The phrase is most powerful and commonly used in the construction "xả thân vì..." (to sacrifice oneself for...), followed by the object of the sacrifice (e.g., – for the country, – for the people, – for an ideal).
It carries a strong connotation of heroism, patriotism, and ultimate commitment. It is not used for trivial or everyday sacrifices.

Variants and Related Words

Hi sinh (v): To sacrifice. This is a more general and commonly used term for sacrifice, which can range from small personal sacrifices to the ultimate sacrifice of one's life. "Xả thân" is a more intense and specific subset of "hi sinh."
Quên mình (v): To forget oneself; to be selfless. This emphasizes the aspect of disregarding one's own interests.

Synonyms

Sacrifice oneself: To give up one's life or interests for a cause.
Devote oneself: To dedicate oneself completely.
Throw oneself into: To begin doing something with great energy and enthusiasm.

Related Idioms

Xả thân vì nghĩa lớn: To sacrifice oneself for a great righteousness/cause. This idiom underscores the noble and principled nature of the act.
- Tinh thần xả thân vì nghĩa lớn của các anh hùng. (The spirit of self-sacrifice for a great cause of the heroes.)