Definitions

shài (verb) to dry (in the sun); to sun
shài (verb) (of the sun) to shine on; to bask in
shài (verb) to share (experiences; thoughts) online

Etymology

Simplified form of . Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic: 西

About

The character 晒 (shài) is a phono-semantic compound with the sun radical 日 (rì) on the left, indicating its association with sunlight, and the phonetic component 西 (xī) on the right. Its traditional form, 曬, pairs the sun radical with the more complex phonetic component 麗 (lì). The core meaning refers to the action of exposing items like damp clothes, crops, or books to the sun to dry them or prevent mildew. This extends to the act of humans or animals basking in sunlight for warmth. In modern colloquial use, it has come to mean publicly showcasing personal achievements or possessions online.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我喜欢太阳。

Wǒ xǐhuān shài tàiyáng.

I like to bask in the sun.

妈妈把衣服在阳台上。

Māma bǎ yīfu shài zài yángtái shàng.

Mom hangs the clothes on the balcony to dry.

过的被子很暖和。

Shài guò de bèizi hěn nuǎnhuo.

The quilt that has been sunned is very warm.

夏天太阳要注意防

Xiàtiān shài tàiyáng yào zhùyì fángshài.

In summer, when basking in the sun, you need to pay attention to sun protection.

他经常在朋友圈美食。

Tā jīngcháng zài péngyǒuquān shài měishí.

He often shows off food on his friend circle.

黑了的皮肤看起来更健康。

Shài hēile de pífū kàn qǐlái gèng jiànkāng.

Sun-tanned skin looks healthier.

为了避免伤,她涂了防霜。

Wèile bìmiǎn shàishāng, tā túle fángshàishuāng.

To avoid sunburn, she applied sunscreen.

尽管天气炎热,他还是坚持完了所有谷物。

Jǐnguǎn tiānqì yánrè, tā háishì jiānchí shài wánle suǒyǒu gǔwù.

Despite the hot weather, he persisted in sunning all the grains.