Meanings of 殺
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About 殺
Podcast: 殺
Podcast: 殺
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AI Study Notes for 殺
杀 (shā, to kill) vs 杀死 (shā sǐ, to kill, specifically to cause death) — use 殺 for general acts of killing, while 杀死 emphasizes the result of causing death.
Be careful with the tone when pronouncing 殺 (shā), as a mispronunciation can lead to confusion with other words. It is generally used in a serious context, and avoid using it in casual conversations. Common collocations include 殺人 (shārén - to murder) and 殺死 (shāsǐ - to kill).
Although 殺 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it is important for learners to recognize it due to its presence in media and literature. Students should focus on understanding its connotations and usage within various phrases.
Learners often confuse 殺 (shā) with similar-sounding words, leading to incorrect usage. For example, using it in a light-hearted context, like saying 'I killed it in the exam' (我考试杀了), should be avoided; a more appropriate phrase would be '我考试得了好成绩' (I did well on the exam).
Pronunciation of 殺
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Etymology of 殺
Simplified form of 殺. Depicts a person being impaled in the head.
weapon
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 殺
Simplified form of 殺. Depicts a person being impaled in the head.
- 1The meaning half殳 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half杀 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayweapon
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 殺? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 殺
Identify the Components
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How to say to kill, to murder, to slaughter; to hurt in Chinese
“to kill, to murder, to slaughter; to hurt” in Chinese is殺
The character 殺 (shā) means 'to kill' or 'to murder.' It is commonly used in contexts related to violence, such as discussions about crime, warfare, or even in metaphorical expressions related to failure or loss. In literature and media, this character often conveys strong emotions and serious consequences.
When to use 殺
Be careful with the tone when pronouncing 殺 (shā), as a mispronunciation can lead to confusion with other words. It is generally used in a serious context, and avoid using it in casual conversations. Common collocations include 殺人 (shārén - to murder) and 殺死 (shāsǐ - to kill).
殺 or something close to it
杀 (shā, to kill) vs 杀死 (shā sǐ, to kill, specifically to cause death) — use 殺 for general acts of killing, while 杀死 emphasizes the result of causing death.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 殺 (shā) with similar-sounding words, leading to incorrect usage. For example, using it in a light-hearted context, like saying 'I killed it in the exam' (我考试杀了), should be avoided; a more appropriate phrase would be '我考试得了好成绩' (I did well on the exam).
Write 殺
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Practice writing 殺 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 殺
Compound Meaning
What does 杀 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 殺
Generally, 殺 is not used casually due to its violent connotations and is more often found in media or discussions about crime.
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