Definition
撒 (sā) means 'to let go' or 'to cast' — it emphasizes releasing something from your hand with a quick, outward motion, like letting go of a balloon or casting a net. 放 (fàng) is broader ('to put, to release') and doesn't imply the same sudden release; 投 (tóu) means 'to throw' toward a target (a vote, a glance); 抛 (pāo) is 'to toss/fling' often with abandon. 洒 (sǎ) is for scattering liquid or powder, not for letting go of an object.
verb
to let go (of something held)to cast (a net)to spread (one's legs)
Easily confused
- 散sǎnlook-aliketo come loose; to fall apart; to become undone
- 洒sǎsound-aliketo sprinkle, to spray (liquid or powder)
- 拱gǒnglook-aliketo arch (the back, a bridge, etc.)
Examples
- ，。Tā yì sā shǒu, qìqiú jiù fēi shàng le tiān.He let go of his hand, and the balloon flew up into the sky.
- ，。Kàn dào jǐngchá, xiǎotōu sā tuǐ jiù pǎo.Seeing the police, the thief took off running at once.
- ，撒。Yúfū zhàn zài chuán tóu, yòng lì bǎ wǎng sā le chū qù.The fisherman stood at the bow and cast the net out with force.
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