How to Write 洒 (sǎ) — Meaning “To sprinkle; to spray.”

Imagine a person using a hose to sprinkle water on a thirsty western (西) garden. The left side 氵 (water) and the right side 西 (west) can remind you of watering plants in the west during a hot day.

Write the water radical (氵) first as three dots from left to right, then the right side 西 with its horizontal strokes. A common mistake is making the right side too wide — keep 西 compact so the character stays balanced. The total is 9 strokes, and the last stroke in 西 is a short vertical line.

洒 (sǎ) specifically means to sprinkle water, while 㳄 (xián) means saliva or to drool, and 汧 (qiān) is an ancient river name. Visually, 洒 has 西 on the right, 㳄 has 欠 (qiàn, to owe), and 汧 has 开 (kāi, open). Each has a different right-side component that changes the meaning entirely.

洒 is commonly used in everyday actions like 洒水 (sprinkling water) for cleaning or gardening, and in the adjective 洒脱 (sǎ tuō) meaning free and easy, often describing a carefree personality. In Chinese culture, 洒脱 is a positive trait, suggesting someone who is unfettered and natural, like water flowing freely.

Common words containing 洒 include: 洒水 (sǎ shuǐ) — To sprinkle water.; 洒脱 (sǎ tuō) — Free and easy; unconventional.; 喷洒 (pēn sǎ) — to spray, to sprinkle.