Ofiara

Ofiara is a Polish noun that primarily denotes a person who suffers harm, loss, or death as a result of actions, events, or circumstances caused by others. It is commonly used to refer to victims of accidents, crimes, or disasters. In religious or ritual contexts, the term also denotes an offering or sacrifice presented to a deity or higher power. Related verbs include ofiarować (to offer, to sacrifice) and the expression złożyć ofiarę (to make an offering or sacrifice).

Etymology and usage context: The word is derived from the verb ofiarować. It appears in both secular and religious language, with different nuances. In everyday language, it emphasizes the person who suffers or is harmed. In religious discourse, it emphasizes the act of giving a sacrifice or offering to a divine entity. The feminine noun is used across grammatically varied constructions, with phrases such as ofiara wypadku (victim of an accident) and ofiara przestępstwa (victim of a crime).

Examples and nuance: The term can be applied metaphorically to situations where someone bears an undue burden or loses something valuable due to external factors, e.g., being an ofiara okoliczności. It also appears in historical or literary discussions of sacrificial practices, where an offering is described as an ofiara to a deity.

See also: ofiarować, złożyć ofiarę, ofiarodawca, poszkodowany.