to pour, to spill; to scatter, to shed; to wipe away
HSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 氵, rank #4929, Hard
sǎ(sa3) T3
1to sprinkle
2to spray
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March 24, 2026
洒(灑)sǎ(sa3)
The character 洒 (sǎ) primarily means to sprinkle, spray, or spill a liquid. It can be used in various contexts, such as watering plants, applying cleaning solutions, or even shedding tears. The nuance often implies a gentle or scattered action rather than a forceful one.
Strokes9Radical氵Frequency#4929DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, sprinkling water during festivals symbolizes good luck and purification. It is common in celebrations such as the Water Splashing Festival among the Dai people.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person lightly sprinkling water (the radical 水, meaning water) on a garden, emphasizing the gentle action of sprinkling. The pronunciation 'sǎ' sounds like 'saw', which you can visualize as someone saw(ing) water out of a container in a delicate manner.
Meanings of 洒
sǎ(sa3)
1to sprinkle
2to spray
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 洒
洒Simplified
灑Traditional
9Strokes
氵Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#4929Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 洒
Podcast: 洒
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AI Study Notes for 洒
Quick Contrast
撒 (sā) is used for throwing or scattering something with a more forceful action, while 洒 (sǎ) emphasizes a gentle sprinkling or spraying of liquid.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person lightly sprinkling water (the radical 水, meaning water) on a garden, emphasizing the gentle action of sprinkling. The pronunciation 'sǎ' sounds like 'saw', which you can visualize as someone saw(ing) water out of a container in a delicate manner.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include using the wrong tone, as 'sà' (to spill) has a different meaning. This character is more often found in informal contexts, so be mindful of the situation when using it. Phrases like '洒水' (sprinkle water) and '洒脱' (unfettered) are good collocations to remember.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 5, students should focus on understanding the various contexts in which 洒 can be used, including both literal and metaphorical meanings. It connects well with other verbs related to actions involving liquids, such as 倒 (dào, to pour) and 撒 (sā, to scatter).
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, sprinkling water during festivals symbolizes good luck and purification. It is common in celebrations such as the Water Splashing Festival among the Dai people.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse the tones and mistakenly use 'sà' instead of 'sǎ', which changes the meaning entirely. For example, saying '我洒水' (I sprinkle water) is correct, while saying '我撒水' (I spill water) could imply an unintended mess.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 洒
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Grammar Patterns of 洒
洒 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 5 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
他们的作品一如既往地引人入胜、气韵潇____、新颖别致，不会让你失望。
Their work has all the usual punch, panache and flair you'dexpect.
Example Sentences for 洒 (10)
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1
他们的作品一如既往地引人入胜、气韵潇洒、新颖别致，不会让你失望。
tā mén de zuò pǐn yī rú jì wǎng dì yǐn rén rù shèng、 、 qì yùn xiāo、 sǎ 、 xīn yǐng， bié zhì ， bù huì ràng。
Their work has all the usual punch, panache and flair you'dexpect.
2
职工对她洒脱的管理风格反应很好。
zhí gōng duì tā sǎ tuō de guǎn lǐ fēng gé fǎn yīng hěn hǎo。
Staff respond well to her unbuttoned style of management.
"Sorry Edward," I said, splattering the cloth with jam.
9
不要把水洒到你的衣服上。
bù yào bǎ shuǐ sǎ dào nǐ de yī fú shàng。
Don't spill water on your suit.
10
两名结伴旅行的优雅苏格兰男子就餐时穿了潇洒的苏格兰方格呢短裙。
liǎng míng jié bàn lǚ háng de yōu yǎ sū gé lán nán zǐ jiù cān shí chuān le xiāo sǎ de sū gé lán fāng gé ne duǎn qún。
Two elegant Scotsmen travelling together wore dashing kilts at dinner.
Cultural Notes for 洒
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, sprinkling water during festivals symbolizes good luck and purification. It is common in celebrations such as the Water Splashing Festival among the Dai people.
Word Family of 洒
Words Containing This Character12
洒sǎto spray灑
潇洒xiāosǎfree and easy瀟灑
洒脱natural灑脫
喷洒to spray噴灑
挥洒to sprinkle揮灑
洒满to sprinkle over sth灑滿
抛洒to drip拋灑
洒水车sprinkler truck灑水車
洒水to sprinkle灑水
洋洋洒洒voluminous洋洋灑灑
飘洒suave飄灑
洒水机sprinkler灑水機
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 洒 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 洒
洒 (sǎ) typically refers to sprinkling liquids, while 撒 (sā) means to scatter or spread something, often in a more forceful manner.
Yes, 洒 can be used metaphorically, such as in expressing emotions, like '洒泪' (shed tears).
Common phrases include '洒水' (to sprinkle water) and '洒脱' (to be carefree or unrestrained).
