Chinese Character: 沙 (Shā - Sand)
1. 基本特征 (Character Basics)
部首: 氵（三点水） (radical: water)
笔画数: 7 (7 strokes)
结构分解: 氵（水） + 少（表音），会意与水相关的细小颗粒 (composed of "氵" (water) and "少" (indicating pronunciation), ideogram for fine particles related to water)
笔顺:
2. 发音 (Pronunciation)
拼音: Shā (first tone)
3. 含义 (Meaning)
沙指细小的石粒，多由水流或风力作用形成 (Sand refers to fine stone particles, often formed by water or wind erosion)
4. 常用词汇 (Common Words)
- 沙子 (shā zi) - sand
- 沙漠 (shā mò) - desert
- 沙滩 (shā tān) - beach
5. 语法与用法 (Grammar & Usage)
作名词时表具体物质（如"一把沙子"）；可与量词搭配（如"一片沙漠"） (Used as a noun for the material (e.g., "a handful of sand"); often paired with measure words (e.g., "a stretch of desert"))
6. 文化背景 (Cultural Background)
中国"沙漏"是古代计时工具，用沙子流动计量时间，体现古人对自然物质的利用智慧 (The "hourglass" in China, using sand flow for timekeeping, reflects ancient wisdom in utilizing natural materials)
7. 例句 (Example Sentence)
孩子们在沙滩上玩沙子。(Hái zi men zài shā tān shàng wán shā zi.)
The children are playing with sand on the beach.
8. 记忆技巧 (Memory Tips)
"氵"表示与水相关（如沙滩、河流边多沙），"少"提示发音为Shā，组合起来容易记住"沙"指细小石粒 ("氵" indicates water-related (e.g., beaches, riverbanks with sand), "少" hints at the pronunciation "Shā", making it easy to remember "沙" refers to fine sand particles)