舍己为人
舍己为人 (shě jǐ wèi rén) literally means “sacrifice oneself for others” and expresses “selflessness”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character.
Also searched as: she ji wei ren, she ji wei ren,舍己为人 meaning, 舍己为人 in english
Selflessness
Pronunciation: shě jǐ wèi rén Literal meaning: Sacrifice oneself for others
Origin & Usage
To set aside (舍) oneself (己) for (为) others (人). The sentiment is thoroughly Confucian, and the construction appears in the classics in related forms. What is worth noticing is how strong 舍 is: not subordinating one's interests but relinquishing them, which is why the phrase is reserved for real cost. Commendations and citations carry it, and it would be excessive praise for ordinary generosity.
Examples
English: "He always puts his friends' needs before his own, embodying the spirit of selflessness."
Chinese: 他总是把朋友的需求放在自己之前,体现了无私的精神。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about relationships & character
见义勇为
jiàn yì yǒng wéi
Courageous moral action
Learn more →
大义灭亲
dà yì miè qīn
Justice over family
Learn more →
患难与共
huàn nàn yǔ gòng
Solidarity in hardship
Learn more →
公而忘私
gōng ér wàng sī
Public duty crowds out private interest
Learn more →
以身作则
yǐ shēn zuò zé
Lead by example
Learn more →
宁为玉碎
nìng wéi yù suì
Integrity over compromise
Learn more →
损人利己
sǔn rén lì jǐ
Selfish gain
Learn more →
将心比心
jiāng xīn bǐ xīn
Empathy and understanding
Learn more →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 舍己为人 mean in English?
舍己为人 (shě jǐ wèi rén) literally translates to “Sacrifice oneself for others” and is used to express “Selflessness”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 舍己为人 used?
Situation: He always puts his friends' needs before his own, embodying the spirit of selflessness.
What is the pinyin for 舍己为人?
The pinyin pronunciation for 舍己为人 is “shě jǐ wèi rén”.
Curated Lists Featuring 舍己为人
10 Chinese Idioms About Empathy & Understanding Others
Learn 10 beautiful Chinese idioms about putting yourself in others' shoes, compassion, and building deeper human connections.
10 Chinese Idioms About Loyalty & Self-Sacrifice
Learn 10 moving Chinese idioms about unwavering loyalty, putting others first, and the noble tradition of self-sacrifice in Chinese culture.
9 Chinese Idioms About Loyalty & Sacrifice for Dragon Boat Festival
Chinese idioms about loyalty, righteousness, and self-sacrifice — embodying the spirit of Qu Yuan and the Dragon Boat Festival.