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March 24, 2026
裟shā(sha1)
The character 裟 (shā) refers to a type of robe traditionally worn by Buddhist monks, known as a cassock. This garment is often associated with spiritual practice and is significant in various Buddhist ceremonies. It embodies a sense of simplicity and detachment from material possessions.
Strokes13Radical衣Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
The robe represented by 裟 is central to the monastic life in Buddhism, symbolizing discipline and humility. It is often seen during religious ceremonies and signifies a monk's commitment to their spiritual path.
Memory Tip
Imagine a serene monk wearing a flowing robe, representing peace and mindfulness. The character 裟 includes the radical 衣 (yī), which means 'clothing,' hinting at its meaning related to garments. Picture the monk's robe, softly swirling around him like a gentle breeze, reminding you of the sound 'shā' as it moves.
Meanings of 裟
shā(sha1)
1cassock; monk's robe
2Buddhist monk's robe
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About 裟
裟Simplified
13Strokes
衣Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 裟
Podcast: 裟
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AI Study Notes for 裟
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a serene monk wearing a flowing robe, representing peace and mindfulness. The character 裟 includes the radical 衣 (yī), which means 'clothing,' hinting at its meaning related to garments. Picture the monk's robe, softly swirling around him like a gentle breeze, reminding you of the sound 'shā' as it moves.
Usage Notes
When using 裟, it is important to note that it is more formal and specific to Buddhist contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversations about clothing. Common collocations include 裟衣 (shā yī, robe) and 僧人穿裟 (sēngrén chuān shā, monks wear robes). Mispronouncing the tone can lead to confusion with other words.
HSK Study Tips
Although 裟 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with other clothing-related words at this level. Students should focus on recognizing its usage in texts related to Buddhism and spiritual practices, enhancing their comprehension of cultural references.
Cultural Note
The robe represented by 裟 is central to the monastic life in Buddhism, symbolizing discipline and humility. It is often seen during religious ceremonies and signifies a monk's commitment to their spiritual path.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 裟 with similar-sounding words like 沙 (shā, sand) due to mispronunciation. Ensure to practice the tone to differentiate them properly; for example, saying '沙' when intending to refer to a monk's robe is incorrect.
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Pronunciation of 裟
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Cultural Notes for 裟
🏮Cultural insight
The robe represented by 裟 is central to the monastic life in Buddhism, symbolizing discipline and humility. It is often seen during religious ceremonies and signifies a monk's commitment to their spiritual path.
Word Family of 裟
Words Containing This Character2
袈裟kasaya, a patchwork outer vestment worn by a Buddhist monk
裟shāBuddhist monk's robe
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 袈裟 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 裟
It means 'cassock' or 'monk's robe' and is associated with Buddhist monks.
You might say '他穿着一件红色的裟' (Tā chuānzhuó yī jiàn hóngsè de shā), which means 'He is wearing a red cassock.'
Yes, other types of robes like 袍 (páo) are worn in different contexts, such as traditional Chinese ceremonies.
