Definition
牺牲品 literally means 'sacrificial item' — something offered up in a ritual sacrifice. In modern usage it extends metaphorically to any person or thing that is harmed, destroyed, or given up for the sake of something else. You'll see it used for victims of war or injustice, scapegoats in political or social contexts, and even in business for a 'loss leader' product sold at a loss to attract customers. The core idea is always that the entity is expendable and suffers for an external goal.
n.
victimpreyscapegoatsacrificial lamb(business) loss leader
Examples
- ，牺牲品。Zài zhè chǎng zhànzhēng zhōng, píngmín chéng le zuì dà de xī shēng pǐn.In this war, civilians became the greatest victims.
- ，牺牲品。Gōngsī chū le wèntí, tā què bèi dàng chéng xī shēng pǐn kāichú le.When the company had problems, he was made the scapegoat and fired.
- 牺牲品，。Zhè kuǎn shāngpǐn shì shāngchǎng de xī shēng pǐn, jiàgé dī dào jīhū bù zhuàn qián.This product is the store's loss leader, priced so low it barely makes money.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.