HSK 6, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 木, rank #180, Medium
shā(sha1) T1
1to kill
2to murder
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March 24, 2026
杀(殺)shā(sha1)
The character 杀 (shā) primarily means 'to kill' or 'to murder,' and is commonly used in contexts involving violence or aggression. It can also imply reducing or weakening something, and in some dialects, it signifies a strong sensation or feeling. This versatility makes it important in both everyday language and more intense narratives.
Strokes6Radical木Frequency#180DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of killing is often explored in literature and cinema, particularly in martial arts films where the idea of honor in combat may intersect with the act of killing. The word 杀 is prevalent in discussions about historical figures who were known for their violent actions or in the context of war.
Memory Tip
Think of the character 杀 (shā) as a fierce warrior wielding a sword (the radical '刀' inside the character) ready to 'kill' in battle. Visualize the action of slashing down, which aligns with its meaning of taking life, while the sharpness of the sword can also represent the sharpness of the word's intensity when used to describe extreme actions.
Meanings of 杀
shā(sha1)
1to kill
2to murder
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 杀
杀Simplified
殺Traditional
6Strokes
木Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#180Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 杀
Podcast: 杀
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AI Study Notes for 杀
Quick Contrast
杀 (shā) vs 殺 (shā) — both mean 'to kill,' but 杀 is the standard form used in modern Mandarin, while 殺 may appear in historical or literary contexts.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of the character 杀 (shā) as a fierce warrior wielding a sword (the radical '刀' inside the character) ready to 'kill' in battle. Visualize the action of slashing down, which aligns with its meaning of taking life, while the sharpness of the sword can also represent the sharpness of the word's intensity when used to describe extreme actions.
Usage Notes
While 杀 is straightforward, learners often confuse it with similar verbs like 打 (dǎ, to hit) or 击 (jī, to strike), which are less lethal. It is generally considered more formal and can carry strong emotional weight, so use it cautiously in conversation. Also, remember that when used after a verb, it can intensify the action, as in 'run fast' (跑得快, pǎo de kuài) becomes '跑得杀' (pǎo de shā) for 'extremely fast.'
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 杀 connects with other action verbs and expressions of intensity. Students should focus on recognizing its use in various contexts, especially in literature or films where dramatic actions are described. Additionally, practice using it in different sentence structures to enhance fluency.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of killing is often explored in literature and cinema, particularly in martial arts films where the idea of honor in combat may intersect with the act of killing. The word 杀 is prevalent in discussions about historical figures who were known for their violent actions or in the context of war.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 杀 by applying it to non-lethal contexts, such as saying 杀时间 (shā shíjiān) directly translates to 'kill time' in a violent sense. Instead, understand it as a figurative expression rather than a literal one.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 杀
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Grammar Patterns of 杀
杀 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
至今尚不清楚他究竟是饮弹自____还是被谋杀。
To this day, it's unclear whether he shot himself or was murdered.
Common Confusions with 杀
杀vs沙
shā
Both characters share the same pronunciation but have different meanings.
杀vs煞
shà
煞 is similar in sound but has a different character and meaning.
杀 means to kill, while 死 means to die.
1
他杀了那只老虎。 (He killed the tiger.) vs. 那只老虎死了。 (The tiger died.)
杀 means to kill, while 死 means to die.
💡Remember, 杀 (shā) is an action (to kill), while 死 (sǐ) is a state (to die).
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to kill"?
or
Usage Notes for 杀
Misuse in casual contextsCommon Error
Avoid using 杀 in overly casual or light-hearted contexts, as it carries a serious connotation.
Police refused to say if the couple died in a suicide pact.
9
他因谋杀一名地方法官而被通缉。
tā yīn móu shā yī míng dì fāng fǎ guān ér bèi tōng jī。
He was wanted for the murder of a magistrate.
10
抑郁症使他不止一次地企图自杀。
yì yù zhèng shǐ tā bù zhǐ yī cì dì qǐ tú zì shā。
More than once, depression drove him to attempt suicide.
Cultural Notes for 杀
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of killing is often explored in literature and cinema, particularly in martial arts films where the idea of honor in combat may intersect with the act of killing. The word 杀 is prevalent in discussions about historical figures who were known for their violent actions or in the context of war.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, the concept of 'killing' often comes with legal and moral implications that are sometimes less emphasized in Chinese narratives, where honor and duty may play a central role in the justification of violent actions.
Word Family of 杀
Compounds5
刹cha4Buddhist monastery, temple or shrine (abbr. for 剎多羅, Sanskrit ksetra)
弑shi4patricide, matricide
铩sha1spear; to injure
殺sha1to kill, to murder, to slaughter; to hurt
脎sa4an organic compound
Words Containing This Character20
杀shāto kill殺
自杀zìshāto kill oneself自殺
杀人homicide殺人
杀死to kill殺死
杀手shāshǒukiller殺手
谋杀to murder謀殺
杀害shāhàito murder殺害
屠杀túshāto massacre屠殺
谋杀案murder case謀殺案
暗杀ànshāto assassinate暗殺
杀人犯murderer殺人犯
枪杀to shoot dead槍殺
杀戮to massacre殺戮
刺杀to assassinate刺殺
杀伤力harmfulness殺傷力
封杀to shut out封殺
杀菌to kill germs殺菌
南京大屠杀the Nanjing Massacre of 1937-38南京大屠殺
杀伤to kill or injure殺傷
扼杀to strangle扼殺
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 刹 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 杀
杀 (shā) is generally considered a more formal term, often used in literature, news reports, or serious conversations. However, it can also appear in informal contexts when discussing actions or events that involve killing or attacking.
Common phrases include '杀时间' (shā shíjiān), which means 'to kill time,' and '杀鸡儆猴' (shā jī jǐng hóu), meaning 'to kill a chicken to scare the monkeys.' These idiomatic expressions showcase the versatility of the word in different contexts.
杀 (shā) means 'to kill' or 'to murder' in Chinese. It can also imply attacking or weakening something. In some dialects, it can mean 'to smart' or indicate an extreme degree when used after a verb.
You can use 杀 (shā) in sentences to express actions related to killing or attacking, such as '他杀了这只鸡' (tā shā le zhè zhī jī), meaning 'He killed this chicken.' It's also used in expressions, like '杀得很惨' (shā de hěn cǎn), which means 'killed severely.'
You might encounter phrases like 杀时间 (shā shíjiān, to kill time) or 杀鸡取卵 (shā jī qǔ luǎn, literally 'to kill the chicken to get the eggs,' meaning to sacrifice something for immediate gain).
Yes, in some dialects, 杀 can mean to 'smart' or to feel a sharp sensation, but this usage is less common in standard Mandarin.
It can be, but due to its strong connotations, it’s often avoided in casual settings unless discussing specific topics like movies or historical events.
