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March 24, 2026
萨(薩)sà(Sa4)
The character 萨 (sà) primarily refers to a Buddhist deity and is commonly associated with the term 'Bodhisattva.' It is often used in transliterations of foreign names into Chinese, especially those from Sanskrit. This character is less frequently encountered in everyday conversation but is important in religious and cultural contexts.
Strokes11Radical艹Frequency#1906DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Tibetan Buddhism, the term 'Bodhisattva' is significant, and 萨 is part of names of revered figures such as '萨迦' (Sakya), which represents a prominent lineage in Tibetan Buddhism, reflecting deep cultural and spiritual heritage.
Memory Tip
Imagine a serene Buddhist statue sitting under a tree (the shape of the character resembles a tree plus something sacred). The 'sà' pronunciation can be remembered by thinking of 'sat' as in sitting peacefully, much like a Bodhisattva embodies calmness and wisdom.
Meanings of 萨
sà(Sa4)
1Buddhist diety; used in transliterations
2Bodhisattva
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 萨
萨Simplified
薩Traditional
11Strokes
艹Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 萨
Podcast: 萨
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AI Study Notes for 萨
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a serene Buddhist statue sitting under a tree (the shape of the character resembles a tree plus something sacred). The 'sà' pronunciation can be remembered by thinking of 'sat' as in sitting peacefully, much like a Bodhisattva embodies calmness and wisdom.
Usage Notes
While '萨' can be a surname, its primary usage is in religious contexts. Learners often mistakenly use it in everyday conversation, where it is less appropriate. Be mindful of the formal register when discussing religious figures.
HSK Study Tips
Although 萨 is not included in the HSK levels, it connects with vocabulary about Buddhism and spirituality, which may appear in advanced studies. Focus on recognizing its usage in religious texts and transliterations.
Cultural Note
In Tibetan Buddhism, the term 'Bodhisattva' is significant, and 萨 is part of names of revered figures such as '萨迦' (Sakya), which represents a prominent lineage in Tibetan Buddhism, reflecting deep cultural and spiritual heritage.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 萨 with similar-sounding characters like 赛 (sài), which means 'to compete.' For example, saying '萨比赛' instead of '赛' is incorrect; the correct phrase would be '赛跑' for 'race.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 萨
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Grammar Patterns of 萨
萨 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
最终是什么让你离开____拉热窝前往萨格勒布的？
What was it ultimately that led you to leave Sarajevo for Zagreb?
Example Sentences for 萨 (10)
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1
最终是什么让你离开萨拉热窝前往萨格勒布的？
zuì zhōng shì shí mó ràng nǐ lí kāi sà lā rè wō qián wǎng sà gé lè bù de？
What was it ultimately that led you to leave Sarajevo for Zagreb?
2
我离开了得克萨斯州，总算摆脱了那里的一切。
wǒ lí kāi le dé kè sà sī zhōu， ， zǒng suàn bǎi tuō le nà lǐ de yī。
I left Texas and said good riddance to all that.
3
这是20世纪早期的萨塞克斯乡村，那时还是用马拉犁。
zhè shì20 20 shì jì zǎo qī de sà sāi kè sī xiāng， cūn ， nà shí huán shì yòng mǎ。
This is early-20th-century rural Sussex, when horses still pulled the plough.
4
他在得克萨斯监狱服刑时学会了这首歌。
tā zài dé kè sà sī jiān yù fú xíng shí xué huì le zhè shǒu gē。
He learned this song as an inmate at a Texas prison.
5
“谢谢你招待了这么美味的晚餐。”——“这没什么，”萨拉说。
“ “ xiè xiè nǐ zhāo dài le zhè mó měi wèi de wǎn。”——“ cān 。”——“ zhè méi，” shí mó ，”。
"Thank you for the wonderful dinner." — "It's nothing," Sarah said.
A tap on the door interrupted him and Sally Pierce came in.
10
他曾是《堪萨斯城市星报》的一名年轻记者。
tā zēng shì《 《 kān sà sī chéng shì xīng》 bào 》 de yī míng nián qīng。
He had been a cub reporter for the Kansas City Star.
Cultural Notes for 萨
🏮Cultural insight
In Tibetan Buddhism, the term 'Bodhisattva' is significant, and 萨 is part of names of revered figures such as '萨迦' (Sakya), which represents a prominent lineage in Tibetan Buddhism, reflecting deep cultural and spiritual heritage.
Word Family of 萨
Words Containing This Character20
萨sàBodhisattva薩
萨达姆Saddam薩達姆
拉萨Lhasa, capital city of Tibet autonomous region 西藏自治區|西藏自治区拉薩
巴萨Barca (nickname for FC Barcelona)巴薩
德克萨斯Texas德克薩斯
菩萨púsàBodhisattva (Buddhism)菩薩
哈萨克斯坦Kazakhstan哈薩克斯坦
比萨Pisa, town in Toscana, Italy比薩
佛罗伦萨Florence, city in Italy佛羅倫薩
披萨pizza (loanword)披薩
阿萨德Assad (Arabic name)阿薩德
萨尔瓦多El Salvador薩爾瓦多
马萨诸塞州Massachusetts, US state馬薩諸塞州
萨克斯sax薩克斯
萨斯SARS薩斯
得克萨斯州Texas, US state得克薩斯州
比萨饼pizza (loanword)比薩餅
哈萨克Kazakhstan哈薩克
堪萨斯州Kansas, US state堪薩斯州
萨科齐Nicolas Sarkozy (1955-), French UMP politician, President 2007-2012薩科齊
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 萨 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 萨
It primarily refers to a Buddhist deity or Bodhisattva, and can also serve as a surname or be part of transliterated names.
No, it is mostly found in religious or cultural discussions, rather than in casual speech.
