撒 meaning and stroke order
To let go; to cast; to let loose
How to write 撒, stroke by stroke
15 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 撒
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to let go
- to cast
- to let loose
- to discharge
- to give expression to
- (coll.) to pee
- to scatter
- to sprinkle
- to spill
How 撒 is built
Ideographic (compound meaning) character. To scatter 散 seeds by hand 扌; 散 also provides the pronunciation.
Radical: 扌 (hand), shared by 342 characters on this site.
How to remember 撒
A hand 扌 next to 散 (sàn, to scatter) shows a hand throwing things out so they spread. Picture a farmer's hand flinging seeds across a field, and 散 also hints at the sound.
As sā, it means to let go or let loose, and it appears in many everyday words like 撒谎 (sāhuǎng, to lie) and 撒娇 (sājiāo, to act spoiled). Example: 别撒谎了。(Bié sāhuǎng le.) Stop lying.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 撒 with 散 (sàn) because 撒 contains it. Remember that 撒 has the hand 扌 and means an action you do with your hands, like throwing or releasing.
Common words with 撒
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
撒 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Questions about 撒
How many strokes are in 撒?
撒 is written with 15 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 撒 mean?
撒 (sā) means to let go; to cast; to let loose. A common word with it is 撒谎 (sāhuǎng), meaning "to tell lies".
How do you pronounce 撒?
撒 is pronounced sā, in the first tone (high and level).
What is the radical of 撒?
The radical of 撒 is 扌, which carries the idea of "hand". Dictionaries list 撒 under this radical.
Is 撒 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 撒 is part of the HSK 7-9 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard.
When is 撒 pronounced sǎ instead of sā?
Use sǎ when it means to scatter, sprinkle, or spill something physical, as in 撒盐 (sǎ yán, to sprinkle salt). Use sā for letting go or letting loose, as in 撒手 (sāshǒu) and 撒野 (sāyě).
Is 撒尿 a rude word?
撒尿 (sāniào) is colloquial and fairly blunt, similar to saying pee or piss. In polite conversation people often say 上厕所 (shàng cèsuǒ, to go to the bathroom) instead.