Meanings of 煞
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About 煞
Podcast: 煞
Podcast: 煞
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AI Study Notes for 煞
杀 (shā, to kill) — use 煞 for a broader sense of harm or malevolence, while 杀 is specifically about the act of killing.
Learners often confuse 煞 with 殺 (shā), which means 'to kill.' Be mindful of the context; 煞 is more about harm and malice rather than direct killing. It is informal and might not be suitable for formal writing.
Although not part of the HSK curriculum, understanding 煞 can enhance vocabulary related to negative emotions or harmful actions. Focus on its pronunciation and context to differentiate it from similar-sounding words.
Many learners mistakenly use 煞 interchangeably with 殺, thinking they mean the same thing. Remember, 煞 has a broader meaning related to harm and malice, while 殺 specifically means 'to kill.'
Pronunciation of 煞
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Etymology of 煞
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Case file: 煞
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 煞? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Decomposition of 煞
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 煞?
How to say demon, fiend; baleful, noxious in Chinese
“demon, fiend; baleful, noxious” in Chinese is煞
The character 煞 (shā) primarily refers to something malevolent or harmful, such as a demon or fiend. It can also describe actions like terminating or cutting short, conveying a sense of damage or constraint in various contexts. In Taiwanese Mandarin, it is a slang term for SARS, showcasing its diverse usage.
When to use 煞
Learners often confuse 煞 with 殺 (shā), which means 'to kill.' Be mindful of the context; 煞 is more about harm and malice rather than direct killing. It is informal and might not be suitable for formal writing.
煞 or something close to it
杀 (shā, to kill) — use 煞 for a broader sense of harm or malevolence, while 杀 is specifically about the act of killing.
What learners get wrong
Many learners mistakenly use 煞 interchangeably with 殺, thinking they mean the same thing. Remember, 煞 has a broader meaning related to harm and malice, while 殺 specifically means 'to kill.'
Write 煞
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Practice writing 煞 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 煞
煞 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 9 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.
Complete the Sentence
他一看到夏普浸满鲜血的制服，脸色顿时变得____白。
His face blanched as he looked at Sharpe's blood-drenched uniform.
Example Sentences for 煞 (4)
Word Family of 煞
Compound Meaning
What does 煞 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 煞
It is pronounced as 'shā' with a high-level tone.
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