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塞 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
塞sāiSerbiaHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sāito stop upHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sāiSerbianHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sāito stuffHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sāiabbr. for 塞爾維亞HSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sāito cope withHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sāi>塞尔维亚[Sāi ěr wéi yà]HSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sāito squeeze inHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sāicorkHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sāistopperHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sāistrategic passHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sāitactical border positionHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sāito stop up, to seal, to cork, to block; pass, frontier; fortressHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sāiabbr. for 塞爾維亞|塞尔维亚[Sai1 er3 wei2 ya4]HSK 6, unknown, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sàiSerbiaHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sàito stop upHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sàiSerbianHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sàito stuffHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sàiabbr. for 塞爾維亞HSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sàito cope withHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sài>塞尔维亚[Sāi ěr wéi yà]HSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sàito squeeze inHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sàicorkHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sàistopperHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sàistrategic passHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sàitactical border positionHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sàito stop up, to seal, to cork, to block; pass, frontier; fortressHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sàiabbr. for 塞爾維亞|塞尔维亚[Sai1 er3 wei2 ya4]HSK 6, unknown, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sèSerbiaHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sèto stop upHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sèSerbianHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sèto stuffHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sèabbr. for 塞爾維亞HSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sèto cope withHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sè>塞尔维亚[Sāi ěr wéi yà]HSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sèto squeeze inHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sècorkHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sèstopperHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sèstrategic passHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sètactical border positionHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sèto stop up, to seal, to cork, to block; pass, frontier; fortressHSK 6, v, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
塞sèabbr. for 塞爾維亞|塞尔维亚[Sai1 er3 wei2 ya4]HSK 6, unknown, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #1601, Hard
sāi(sai1)
primary
 T1
  1. 1Serbia
  2. 2to stop up
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
塞sāi(sai1)

The character '塞' (sāi) primarily means to stop up or to stuff something. It can refer to physically blocking or sealing an opening, such as a cork in a bottle, and is also used in strategic contexts to describe a tactical border position. Additionally, it is an abbreviation for Serbia, linking it to geographical and cultural discussions.

Strokes13Radical土Frequency#1601DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, strategic positioning and borders have deep historical significance, especially concerning military tactics. The word '塞' evokes historical references to fortifications and defensive strategies in ancient China.

Memory Tip

Imagine a cork (塞) being used to stop up a bottle. The character has a 'stop' (塞) on the left and a 'filling' (土) on the right, suggesting that something is sealed or stuffed. Visualize a Serbian person trying to stuff too many souvenirs into their luggage, leading to a comedic scene of overflowing baggage.

Meanings of 塞

sāi(sai1)
primary
1Serbia
2to stop up
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 塞

塞Simplified
13Strokes
土Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1601Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRC1

Podcast: 塞

JasonAmy

Podcast: 塞

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 塞

Quick Contrast

堵 (dǔ, to block) — use 塞 (sāi) when emphasizing the act of stuffing or filling something, while 堵 (dǔ) focuses on obstructing a passage.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a cork (塞) being used to stop up a bottle. The character has a 'stop' (塞) on the left and a 'filling' (土) on the right, suggesting that something is sealed or stuffed. Visualize a Serbian person trying to stuff too many souvenirs into their luggage, leading to a comedic scene of overflowing baggage.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse '塞' with similar sounding words that have different meanings. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but its nuances can vary based on the situation. Common collocations include 塞住 (sāi zhù - to block) and 塞车 (sāi chē - traffic jam).

HSK Study Tips

Although '塞' is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, students should recognize it as an important character when discussing geography or physical descriptions. Focus on its multiple meanings and practice using it in context, especially in relation to travel and borders.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, strategic positioning and borders have deep historical significance, especially concerning military tactics. The word '塞' evokes historical references to fortifications and defensive strategies in ancient China.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse '塞' with '塞尔' (sāi ěr) when referring to Serbia. Remember that '塞' alone means to block or stuff, while the full term '塞尔维亚' (Sāi ěr wéi yà) specifically refers to Serbia.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 塞

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Etymology of 塞

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Depicts two hands (廾) stuffing various objects (工) into an enclosed space (宀) and sealing it with clay (土).

Memory Hint

earth

Semantic (meaning)土
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 塞?

Decomposition of 塞

IDS Structure⿱宀⿱？土
塞Full Character
=
宀gai4
top
土Tu3
top
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 塞?

Write 塞

塞

Practice writing 塞 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 塞

塞 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 14 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.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

由于交通堵____，所以我迟到了。

Because of the traffic jam, I was late.

Example Sentences for 塞 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
她塞给我十几盒磁带。

tā sāi gěi wǒ shí jī hé cí dài。

She loaded me down with around a dozen cassettes.
2
钻孔已塞上了塞子。

zuān kǒng yǐ sāi shàng le sāi zǐ。

A plug had been inserted in the drill hole.
3
从山上冲刷下来的泥土就要让水电大坝淤塞了。

cóng shān shàng chōng shuā xià lái de ní tǔ jiù yào ràng shuǐ diàn dà bà yū sāi le。

The soil washed from the hills is silting up the hydroelectric dams.
4
我问过她这件事，但她一味搪塞。

wǒ wèn guò tā zhè jiàn shì， ， dàn tā yī wèi táng。

I've asked her about it but she fobs me off.
5
这一地区被希腊、塞尔维亚和保加利亚分成了3部分。

zhè yī dì qū bèi xī là、 、 sāi ěr wéi yà hé bǎo jiā lì yà fēn chéng3 le 3。

The region was split three ways, between Greece, Serbia and Bulgaria.
6
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.
7
她拿起一张纸，把它哗哗啦啦地塞到打字机中。

tā ná qǐ yī zhāng zhǐ， ， bǎ tā huá huá lā lā dì sāi dào dǎ zì jī。

She took up a sheet and ratcheted it into the typewriter.
8
正如一位愤世嫉俗的旧主顾所说的那样，“他很可能把差额塞进了自己的腰包！”

zhèng rú yī wèi fèn shì jí sú de jiù zhǔ gù suǒ shuō de nà yàng，“ ，“ tā hěn kě néng bǎ chà é sāi jìn le zì jǐ de yāo！”

As one former customer said cynically, "He's probably pocketed the difference!"
9
问他懂哪些英文词，塞姆科先生不假思索地回答：“一，二，三。”

wèn tā dǒng nǎ xiē yīng wén cí， ， sāi mǔ kē xiān shēng bù jiǎ sī suǒ dì huí：“ dá， ：“， yī。”

Asked what English he knew, Mr Semko rattled off "One, two, three"
10
简的进球帮助英国队在巴塞罗那奥运会上获得了第三名。

jiǎn de jìn qiú bāng zhù yīng guó duì zài bā sāi luó nà ào yùn huì shàng huò dé le dì sān míng。

Jane's goals helped Britain win third place in the Barcelona games.
Exercise 1 of 1

Reorder the Sentence

She loaded me down with around a dozen cassettes.

Tap tokens to build the sentence

Cultural Notes for 塞

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, strategic positioning and borders have deep historical significance, especially concerning military tactics. The word '塞' evokes historical references to fortifications and defensive strategies in ancient China.

Word Family of 塞

Compounds3
噻sai1character used in translation
僿
簺
Words Containing This Character20
塞sāito stop up
堵塞dǔsèto clog up
活塞piston
巴塞罗那Barcelona巴塞羅那
阻塞to block
要塞fort
栓塞thrombosis
塞尔维亚Serbia塞爾維亞
埃塞俄比亚Ethiopia埃塞俄比亞
塞车traffic jam塞車
布鲁塞尔Brussels, capital of Belgium布魯塞爾
梗塞to clog
闭塞bìsèto stop up閉塞
马萨诸塞州Massachusetts, US state馬薩諸塞州
心肌梗塞heart attack
耳塞earplug
塞浦路斯Cyprus
塞巴斯蒂安Sebastian (name)
塞族Serbs
哇塞(slang) wow!
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 噻 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 塞

塞 (sāi) is a character that can mean 'cork' or refer to a strategic pass, while 塞尔维亚 (Sāi'ěrwéiyà) specifically refers to the country Serbia. The former is a versatile term used in various contexts, while the latter is a proper noun representing a geographical location.