About
The character "殉" is structurally composed of the radical 歹, which semantically relates to death or calamity, and the component 旬, which primarily functions as a phonetic indicator. Etymologically, it originally denoted the ancient burial practice of interring living persons, often servants or retainers, alongside a deceased individual to accompany them in death. This specific meaning of ritualistic human sacrifice later extended to encompass the broader concept of willingly giving up one's life for a cause, principle, or another person, thereby evolving into terms associated with martyrdom and self-sacrifice. The consistent use of the 歹 component maintains the character's connection to death, while the semantic shift reflects a movement from a concrete funerary custom to an abstract ideological act.
Example Sentences Hide
他们为爱而殉情。
他因公殉职了。
许多战士为国殉难。
古代有殉葬的习俗。
他为信仰而殉道。
这部电影讲述了殉情的故事。
殉职警察被追认为英雄。
她对殉国者表示深深敬意。