temple, shrine, monastary; an instant, a moment; to brake
zg, 9 strokes, radical 刂, Very Hard
shā(sha1) T1
1temple, shrine, monastary; an instant, a moment; to brake
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March 24, 2026
剎shā(sha1)
The character 剎 (shā) has several meanings, primarily referring to a temple, shrine, or monastery, especially in a Buddhist context. It can also denote a brief moment in time or the act of braking, such as in driving. The context usually clarifies the intended meaning, as the character can have different implications in religious, temporal, or mechanical discussions.
Strokes9Radical刂Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 剎 is often associated with Buddhist practices, and temples play a significant role in spiritual life. Visiting a 剎 can be a way to engage in rituals and seek tranquility, reflecting the importance of spirituality in daily life.
Memory Tip
Imagine a serene temple (the meaning of 剎) surrounded by monks in meditation. The character has a '刂' (knife) radical, which can remind you of the sharpness of a moment or the need to 'cut' through noise to find peace. Picture a car suddenly braking (another meaning of 剎) as it approaches the temple, emphasizing the importance of stopping for reflection.
Meanings of 剎
shā(sha1)
1temple, shrine, monastary; an instant, a moment; to brake
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 剎
剎Simplified
9Strokes
刂Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 剎
Podcast: 剎
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AI Study Notes for 剎
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a serene temple (the meaning of 剎) surrounded by monks in meditation. The character has a '刂' (knife) radical, which can remind you of the sharpness of a moment or the need to 'cut' through noise to find peace. Picture a car suddenly braking (another meaning of 剎) as it approaches the temple, emphasizing the importance of stopping for reflection.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 剎 with similar-sounding characters that may change the meaning significantly. This character is more commonly used in formal or literary contexts, especially related to Buddhism. Common collocations include 剎车 (to brake) and 寺庙 (temple), which can help solidify its usage.
HSK Study Tips
Although 剎 is not included in HSK levels, it connects to HSK 3 vocabulary related to places of worship and time expressions. Focus on understanding its uses in both religious and temporal contexts, as well as practicing pronunciation due to its tonal nature. Recognizing it alongside related terms can enhance retention.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 剎 is often associated with Buddhist practices, and temples play a significant role in spiritual life. Visiting a 剎 can be a way to engage in rituals and seek tranquility, reflecting the importance of spirituality in daily life.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 剎 with 刹 (shā), which can lead to misunderstandings about its meaning. For example, saying '我去剎车' (I go to brake) is incorrect; the correct phrase would be '我刹车' (I brake).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 剎
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Cultural Notes for 剎
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, 剎 is often associated with Buddhist practices, and temples play a significant role in spiritual life. Visiting a 剎 can be a way to engage in rituals and seek tranquility, reflecting the importance of spirituality in daily life.
Word Family of 剎
Words Containing This Character9
刹车shāchēto stop剎車
刹chàto brake剎
刹那chànàsplit second剎那
罗刹demon in Buddhism羅剎
急刹车emergency braking急剎車
古刹old Buddhist temple古剎
刹不住unable to brake (stop)剎不住
刹把brake lever剎把
梵刹monastery梵剎
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 刹车 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 剎
In a sentence, 剎 can refer to a place of worship, like '我们去剎拜佛' (Let's go to the temple to pray).
You can use 剎 when discussing braking in driving, for example, '我剎车太急了' (I braked too hard).
Yes, but it's more commonly used in written or formal contexts, especially regarding temples or monasteries.
