تضحية
tadhiya
The English phrase 'sacrifice' is translated into Arabic as تضحية (tadhiya).
The word refers to the act of destroying or surrendering something for the sake of something else regarded as more urgent or valuable.
Meaning: to destroy or surrender (something) for the sake of something else regarded as more urgent or valuable (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The word تضحية can function as both a noun meaning 'sacrifice' and a verbal noun meaning 'the act of sacrificing'.
How do you pronounce it?
tadhiya
Did you know?
- The root of تضحية is the same as the word for 'forenoon' or 'early morning' ضحى. This connects the idea of sacrifice to the specific time of day when ritual sacrifices are traditionally performed during the Eid al-Adha holiday.
- While تضحية is used for general sacrifice, the term فداء is often used when the sacrifice is meant as a ransom or a substitute to save someone else's life.
- Arabic uses the same root for تضحية to describe the act of 'making something clear' or 'bringing to light', as the morning sun ضحى reveals the world.
Example conversation
Sarah and Ahmed are discussing their future goals.
- سارة Saraيجب أن نركز على دراستنا أولاً.Yajibu an nurakkiz 'ala dirasatina awwalan.We must focus on our studies first.
- أحمد Ahmedلكن هذا يعني تضحية بوقت فراغنا.Lakin hadha ya'ni tadhiya bi-waqt faraghina.But this means a sacrifice of our free time.
- سارة Saraنعم، لكن النتيجة ستكون مستقبلاً أفضل.Na'am, lakin al-natija satakunu mustaqbalan afdal.Yes, but the result will be a better future.
- أحمد Ahmedأنا موافق، هذه تضحية ضرورية.Ana muwafiq, hadhihi tadhiya daruriya.I agree, this is a necessary sacrifice.
