Definitions

sāi (verb) to stuff; to stop up; to block; to squeeze in
sài (noun) strategic pass; border fortress
(verb) to block; to stuff

Etymology

Depicts two hands () stuffing various objects () into an enclosed space (). The (earth) component was added later.

Semantic:

About

The character "塞" structurally combines "宀" indicating an enclosed space, "工" often associated with action or means, and "土" representing earth or material, visually conveying the act of using substance to fill a void. Etymologically, it initially denoted concrete actions like stopping up or obstructing, and its meaning later extended to include abstract forms of blockage such as suppressing emotions or information, as well as referring to frontier passes that function as physical barriers.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我的书包满了书。

Wǒ de shūbāo sāi mǎn le shū.

My backpack is stuffed with books.

路上车了。

Lù shang sāi chē le.

There is a traffic jam on the road.

他把袜子进鞋里。

Tā bǎ wàzi sāi jìn xié lǐ.

He stuffed the socks into the shoes.

这个箱子不下更多东西。

Zhège xiāngzi sāi bù xià gèng duō dōngxi.

This box cannot hold more things.

地区风景壮丽。

Biān sài dìqū fēngjǐng zhuànglì.

The frontier region has magnificent scenery.

给我一张纸条。

Tā sāi gěi wǒ yī zhāng zhǐtiáo.

He slipped me a note.

管道被杂物住了。

Guǎndào bèi záwù sāi zhù le.

The pipe is blocked by debris.

在表格里入太多信息会显得混乱。

Zài biǎogé lǐ sāi rù tài duō xìnxī huì xiǎnde hǔnluàn.

Putting too much information in the form will make it look messy.