Meanings of 殺
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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
Origin
殺 = 殳 + 杀. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 殺
Parts
Which of these is part of 殺?
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).
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Word Family of 殺
Characters with 殺
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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