Definitions

variant of 颯|飒[sà]
sound of wind; valiant; melancholy

Etymology phono-semantic

wind

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 飒, written as 颯 traditionally, is a compound used to describe the sound of wind or a brisk, energetic demeanor. Its right side features the wind radical 风 (or 風 traditionally), providing the semantic context of moving air and atmospheric sounds. The left component 立 originally served as a phonetic element, though it visually suggests standing upright against a breeze. Over time, the meaning expanded from onomatopoeia for rustling autumn winds to a broader adjective for someone with a cool, dashing, or effortlessly stylish presence.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern