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March 24, 2026
萨(薩)sà(Sa4)
The character 萨 (sà) primarily refers to a Buddhist deity and is commonly associated with the term 'Bodhisattva.' It is often used in transliterations of foreign names into Chinese, especially those from Sanskrit. This character is less frequently encountered in everyday conversation but is important in religious and cultural contexts.
Strokes11Radical艹Frequency#1906DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Tibetan Buddhism, the term 'Bodhisattva' is significant, and 萨 is part of names of revered figures such as '萨迦' (Sakya), which represents a prominent lineage in Tibetan Buddhism, reflecting deep cultural and spiritual heritage.
Memory Tip
Imagine a serene Buddhist statue sitting under a tree (the shape of the character resembles a tree plus something sacred). The 'sà' pronunciation can be remembered by thinking of 'sat' as in sitting peacefully, much like a Bodhisattva embodies calmness and wisdom.
Meanings of 萨
sà(Sa4)
1Buddhist diety; used in transliterations
2Bodhisattva
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 萨 means.
About 萨
萨Simplified
薩Traditional
11Strokes
艹Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 萨
Podcast: 萨
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AI Study Notes for 萨
Usage Notes
While '萨' can be a surname, its primary usage is in religious contexts. Learners often mistakenly use it in everyday conversation, where it is less appropriate. Be mindful of the formal register when discussing religious figures.
HSK Study Tips
Although 萨 is not included in the HSK levels, it connects with vocabulary about Buddhism and spirituality, which may appear in advanced studies. Focus on recognizing its usage in religious texts and transliterations.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 萨 with similar-sounding characters like 赛 (sài), which means 'to compete.' For example, saying '萨比赛' instead of '赛' is incorrect; the correct phrase would be '赛跑' for 'race.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 萨
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Knowing 萨 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The character 萨 (sà) primarily refers to a Buddhist deity and is commonly associated with the term 'Bodhisattva.' It is often used in transliterations of foreign names into Chinese, especially those from Sanskrit. This character is less frequently encountered in everyday conversation but is important in religious and cultural contexts.
When to use 萨
While '萨' can be a surname, its primary usage is in religious contexts. Learners often mistakenly use it in everyday conversation, where it is less appropriate. Be mindful of the formal register when discussing religious figures.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 萨 with similar-sounding characters like 赛 (sài), which means 'to compete.' For example, saying '萨比赛' instead of '赛' is incorrect; the correct phrase would be '赛跑' for 'race.'
Write 萨
萨
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Grammar Patterns of 萨
萨 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
____先生是我们的老师。
Mr. Sa is our teacher.
Example Sentences for 萨 (26)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
unknownsurname Sa12
1
萨先生是我们的老师。
Sà xiānsheng shì wǒmen de lǎoshī.
Mr. Sa is our teacher.
2
小萨在公园里玩。
Xiǎo Sà zài gōngyuán lǐ wán.
Little Sa is playing in the park.
3
这是萨小姐的书。
Zhè shì Sà xiǎojiě de shū.
This is Miss Sa's book.
4
我和萨先生去超市。
Wǒ hé Sà xiānsheng qù chāoshì.
I am going to the supermarket with Mr. Sa.
5
萨先生是我们的老师。
Sà xiānsheng shì wǒmen de lǎoshī.
Mr. Sa is our teacher.
6
小萨在公园里玩。
Xiǎo Sà zài gōngyuán lǐ wán.
Little Sa is playing in the park.
7
这是萨小姐的书。
Zhè shì Sà xiǎojiě de shū.
This is Miss Sa's book.
8
我和萨先生去超市。
Wǒ hé Sà xiānsheng qù chāoshì.
I am going to the supermarket with Mr. Sa.
9
萨先生是我们的老师。
Sà xiānsheng shì wǒmen de lǎoshī.
Mr. Sa is our teacher.
10
小萨在公园里玩。
Xiǎo Sà zài gōngyuán lǐ wán.
Little Sa is playing in the park.
11
这是萨小姐的书。
Zhè shì Sà xiǎojiě de shū.
This is Miss Sa's book.
12
我和萨先生去超市。
Wǒ hé Sà xiānsheng qù chāoshì.
I am going to the supermarket with Mr. Sa.
nrBuddhist diety; used in transliterations14
13
最终是什么让你离开萨拉热窝前往萨格勒布的？
zuì zhōng shì shí mó ràng nǐ lí kāi sà lā rè wō qián wǎng sà gé lè bù de？
What was it ultimately that led you to leave Sarajevo for Zagreb?
14
我离开了得克萨斯州，总算摆脱了那里的一切。
wǒ lí kāi le dé kè sà sī zhōu， ， zǒng suàn bǎi tuō le nà lǐ de yī。
I left Texas and said good riddance to all that.
15
这是20世纪早期的萨塞克斯乡村，那时还是用马拉犁。
zhè shì20 20 shì jì zǎo qī de sà sāi kè sī xiāng， cūn ， nà shí huán shì yòng mǎ。
This is early-20th-century rural Sussex, when horses still pulled the plough.
16
他在得克萨斯监狱服刑时学会了这首歌。
tā zài dé kè sà sī jiān yù fú xíng shí xué huì le zhè shǒu gē。
He learned this song as an inmate at a Texas prison.
17
“谢谢你招待了这么美味的晚餐。”——“这没什么，”萨拉说。
“ “ xiè xiè nǐ zhāo dài le zhè mó měi wèi de wǎn。”——“ cān 。”——“ zhè méi，” shí mó ，”。
"Thank you for the wonderful dinner." — "It's nothing," Sarah said.
