About
The character 吒 (zhā/zhà) is a phono-semantic compound. Its left component, the mouth radical 口 (kǒu), indicates a meaning related to vocalization or sound. The right component, 乇 (zhé/tuō), provides the phonetic element and historically depicts a sprout or blade of grass. The character's core meaning is to shout or roar in anger. Its most recognized use today, however, is in the transliterated name of the deity Nezha (哪吒), a function where it serves a phonetic purpose rather than conveying its original sense of angry vocalization.
Etymology Hide
