Definitions
to terminate; to cut short; to bring to a stop; to squeeze; to tighten; to damage; variant of 殺|杀[shā]
fiend; demon; very; (Tw) SARS (loanword)
Etymology
About
The character "煞" historically derives from and is often used interchangeably with "殺", conveying the core idea of killing, but its structural inclusion of the fire radical "灬" points to an additional layer of meaning related to ritual or destructive heat. This composition facilitated a semantic evolution where "煞" came to represent not just the act of killing but also the resulting malevolent entities or baleful forces, as seen in traditional cosmological and religious contexts. Subsequently, its application broadened into colloquial language as an intensifier, modifying adjectives to express extreme degrees, thereby showcasing a transition from concrete violence to abstract emphasis within the linguistic system.
Example Sentences Hide
司机突然煞车。
他煞住了笑声。
她的脸色煞白。
他身上有股煞气。
会议很快煞尾了。
他用绳子煞紧行李。
为了安全，他不得不煞住车速。
在危急关头，司机果断煞车，避免了一场事故。