身(み)を捧(ささ)げる

みをささげる
expression
to devote oneself; to dedicate oneself
formalwrittenliteraryaction
1. to devote oneself; to dedicate oneself (to a cause or pursuit)
To commit one's entire being to a purpose, cause, or activity, often at the expense of personal comfort or desires.
研究(けんきゅう)に身(み)を捧(ささ)げる。
I devote myself to research.
彼女(かのじょ)は音楽(おんがく)に身(み)を捧(ささ)げてきた。
She has devoted herself to music.
医療(いりょう)の発展(はってん)に身(み)を捧(ささ)げた医師(いし)として知(し)られている。
He is known as a doctor who devoted himself to the advancement of medicine.
2. to sacrifice oneself; to give one's life
To give up one's life or safety for a cause, person, or ideal.
国(くに)のために身(み)を捧(ささ)げた。
They sacrificed themselves for their country.
仲間(なかま)を守(まも)るために身(み)を捧(ささ)げる覚悟(かくご)がある。
I am prepared to sacrifice myself to protect my comrades.
平和(へいわ)のために身(み)を捧(ささ)げた人々(ひとびと)の犠牲(ぎせい)を忘(わす)れてはならない。
We must not forget the sacrifice of those who gave their lives for peace.

身(み)を捧(ささ)げる literally means "to offer one's body/self" (身(み) = body/self, 捧(ささ)げる = to offer/dedicate). It is a literary and somewhat elevated expression conveying deep commitment or sacrifice.

Usage

The cause or pursuit is marked with に: ～に身(み)を捧(ささ)げる. Sense 1 (devotion) is more common in modern usage than sense 2 (sacrifice).

Common collocations

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 打(う)ち込(こ)む (to devote oneself to)
Compare: 尽(つ)くす (to serve)
Compare: 身(み)を投(とう)じる (to devote oneself to)
general
Added 2026.4.25 21:41 · Revised 2026.10.3 5:04
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