Chinese word

撒

Pronunciation

Pinyinsǎ

Meaning

  • verbsprinkle

Example

请在沙拉上撒一点盐。qǐng zài shā lā shàng sǎ yì diǎn yán

Please sprinkle a little salt on the salad.

Illustration for 撒 (sprinkle)

More examples

他在院子里撒了些饲料，鸡马上跑过来抢食。tā zài yuàn zi lǐ sā le xiē sì liào jī mǎ shàng pǎo guò lái qiǎng shí

He scattered some feed in the yard, and the chickens immediately ran over to get it.

Core concept

Loose particles move outward from one point and settle over a wider area.

Common phrases

  • 撒盐sā yán

    sprinkle salt

  • 撒网sā wǎng

    cast a net

  • 撒水sā shuǐ

    sprinkle water

Similar words

扔rēng: Let go of a held object forcefully, sending it a long distance.
倒dào: Empty liquid or other contents by tipping a container.
泼pō: Send liquid flying onto something or in several directions.
抛pāo: Throw something gently, often upward or a short distance.

Definition in Chinese

把固体或小颗粒从一点向多处抛开或撒布，亦可用于某些习惯用语的引申义。bǎ gù tǐ huò xiǎo kē lì cóng yì diǎn xiàng duō chù pāo kāi huò sǎ bù yì kě yòng yú mǒu xiē xí guàn yòng yǔ de yǐn shēn yì

Word origin

The character 撒 (sā, "to scatter") combines 扌 (shǒu, "hand") + 散 (sàn, "scatter"), linking a hand action with sending things apart.

Usage tips

  • This verb is most natural for powders, grains, and other loose materials, rather than for placing one solid object in a particular spot.

Other meanings

  • spreadverb
  • scatterverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word