舍生取义 shě shēng qǔ yì

DEFINITIONS

  1. to give up life for righteousness (idiom, from Mencius); to choose honor over life
  2. would rather sacrifice one's life than one's principles

CHARACTERS

舍 shě
HSK 5
house, dwelling; dwell, reside
生 shēng
HSK 1
life, living, lifetime; birth
取 qǔ
HSK 4
take, receive, obtain; select
义 yì
HSK 5
right conduct, righteousness