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纱 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
纱
shā
gauze, muslin, yarn
HSK 7, zg, 7 strokes, radical 纟, rank #9398, Very Hard
纱
shā
cotton yarn
HSK 7, unknown, 7 strokes, radical 纟, rank #9398, Very Hard
shā(sha1)sha T1
1gauze, muslin, yarn
2cotton yarn
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
纱(紗)shā(sha1)
The character 纱 (shā) refers to a type of thin, translucent fabric, typically made of cotton or silk, used in garments or for various textiles. It often denotes gauze or muslin, which are lightweight and breathable materials, commonly used in clothing and curtains. In broader contexts, it can also refer to yarn used in knitting or weaving.
Strokes7Radical纟Frequency#9398DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, 纱 is often associated with traditional garments, such as qipao (cheongsam), where lightweight fabrics are favored for their comfort and elegance, especially in hot weather. The use of muslin in Chinese wedding ceremonies is also notable, symbolizing purity.
Memory tip
Imagine a delicate veil made of light, airy fabric that dances in the breeze. The character 纱 is composed of the silk radical (丝) on the left, symbolizing its textile nature, and the phonetic component (沙, shā) on the right, which sounds similar and evokes the idea of softness and delicacy.
Meanings of 纱
shā(sha1)
1gauze, muslin, yarn
2cotton yarn
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 纱 means.
About 纱
纱Simplified
紗Traditional
7Strokes
纟Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 纱
Podcast: 纱
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AI Study Notes for 纱
Quick Contrast
纱 (shā) vs 布 (bù) — choose 纱 when referring to lightweight, translucent fabric specifically, whereas 布 denotes heavier, opaque fabric.
Usage Notes
Be mindful not to confuse 纱 (shā) with other similar-sounding words like 沙 (shā, meaning sand) in pronunciation. The term is more commonly used in textile contexts, so it is often found in discussions about fashion or fabric. In formal settings or writing, using the full term for the type of fabric may be preferred.
HSK Study Tips
While 纱 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, it is useful for learners interested in textiles or fashion. Students should focus on recognizing the silk radical and understanding its implications in the context of fabrics, as well as exploring related terms like 布 (bù, cloth) and 织 (zhī, to weave).
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 纱 (shā) with similar characters, leading to incorrect usage. For example, using 沙 (shā, sand) instead of 纱 (shā) when discussing fabrics is a common mistake. Always remember that 纱 relates specifically to textiles.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 纱
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How Well Do You Know 纱?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 纱 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.
纱 = 纟 + 少. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 纱
IDS Structure⿰纟少
纱Full character
=
纟si1
left
少shao3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 纱?
How to say gauze, muslin, yarn in Chinese
“gauze, muslin, yarn” in Chinese is纱shā
The character 纱 (shā) refers to a type of thin, translucent fabric, typically made of cotton or silk, used in garments or for various textiles. It often denotes gauze or muslin, which are lightweight and breathable materials, commonly used in clothing and curtains. In broader contexts, it can also refer to yarn used in knitting or weaving.
When to use 纱
Be mindful not to confuse 纱 (shā) with other similar-sounding words like 沙 (shā, meaning sand) in pronunciation. The term is more commonly used in textile contexts, so it is often found in discussions about fashion or fabric. In formal settings or writing, using the full term for the type of fabric may be preferred.
纱 or something close to it
纱 (shā) vs 布 (bù) — choose 纱 when referring to lightweight, translucent fabric specifically, whereas 布 denotes heavier, opaque fabric.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 纱 (shā) with similar characters, leading to incorrect usage. For example, using 沙 (shā, sand) instead of 纱 (shā) when discussing fabrics is a common mistake. Always remember that 纱 relates specifically to textiles.
Write 纱
纱
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Practice writing 纱 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 纱
纱 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 5
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
如果我不戴面____就会有辱门楣。
It would dishonour my family if I didn't wear the veil.
Example Sentences for 纱 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
如果我不戴面纱就会有辱门楣。
rú guǒ wǒ bù dài miàn shā jiù huì yǒu rǔ mén méi。
It would dishonour my family if I didn't wear the veil.
2
她穿着一件拖地长婚纱。
tā chuān zháo yī jiàn tuō dì cháng hūn shā。
She wore a floor length bridal gown.
3
她用装饰性的薄纱遮住了脸。
tā yòng zhuāng shì xìng de báo shā zhē zhù le liǎn。
She swathes her face in a veil of decorative muslin.
