心臓を捧げよ
shinzō o sasageyo
The English phrase "give your heart" can be translated into Japanese as 心臓を捧げよ (shinzō o sasageyo).
This phrase is used as a command to sacrifice one's life or devote oneself entirely to a cause.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of shinzō (heart/cardiac organ), o (object marker) and sasageyo (the imperative form of 'to offer/dedicate').
Which one should you use?
Unlike the word kokoro (heart/spirit), shinzō refers specifically to the physical organ, emphasizing a literal, visceral sacrifice.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The use of the imperative form sasageyo gives the phrase a commanding, solemn and highly dramatic tone often found in military or epic contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb sasageyo is the imperative (command) form of the verb sasageru (to offer/dedicate).
How do you pronounce it?
shinzō o sasageyo
Did you know?
- The phrase shinzō o sasageyo became a global phenomenon due to its use in the anime and manga series 'Attack on Titan'. It is now strongly associated with the series' military culture among international fans.
- The physical gesture often paired with this phrase in pop culture is a clenched fist placed over the heart. This is not a standard Japanese custom but a specific symbolic salute created for fiction.
- The verb sasageru is also used in religious contexts, such as offering a sacrifice to a deity, which lends the phrase a sense of sacred, inevitable duty.
Examples in context
- 彼に心を捧げます。I give my heart to him.
- 彼に心を託します。I entrust my heart to him.
- あなたに心を捧げるよ。I give my heart to you.
- 彼女に心を開いています。I have opened my heart to her.
- 国のために、心臓を捧げよ。Kuni no tame ni, shinzou o sasageyo.Give your heart for the sake of the country.
- 戦士よ、心臓を捧げよ！Senshi yo, shinzou o sasageyo!Warriors, give your heart!
- 正義のために心臓を捧げよと、彼は叫んだ。Seigi no tame ni shinzou o sasageyo to, kare wa sakenda.He shouted to give one's heart for justice.
Example conversation
Two people are roleplaying a scene from a fantasy story.
- 蓮 Ren準備はいいか。心臓を捧げよ！Junbi wa ii ka. Shinzou o sasageyo!Are you ready? Give your heart!
- 結衣 Yuiはい！全力で戦います！Hai! Zenryoku de tatakaimasu!Yes! I will fight with all my might!
- 蓮 Renその意気だ、結衣。Sono iki da, Yui.That's the spirit, Yui.
- 結衣 Yui蓮さん、かっこいいです！Ren-san, kakkoii desu!Ren, you look so cool!
