紗

A phono-semantic compound composed of:

糸 (thread; fine silk) — semantic component, indicates fibers, threads, and textile materials;

少 (few; little) — phonetic component, supplies the sound "sa" and contributes the idea of sparseness or small quantity.

紗 originally referred to a fine silk fabric woven loosely, lighter and more breathable than dense silk cloth.

The structure directly reflects the material quality: fabric woven with fewer threads, producing a light, transparent texture.

The meanings of 紗 expanded along material-based lines:

- loosely woven silk — thin, airy textile;

- sheer fabric — semi-transparent cloth used for clothing or decoration;

- specialized textile — medical gauze, net-like fabrics (modern extension).

Throughout this development, the core idea of sparseness and lightness remains constant.

The character is widely used in textile, fashion, and medical contexts.

Modern usage often extends 紗 metaphorically to describe visual softness or translucence.

Textiles & clothing:

사직 (紗織) — gauze weaving

사포 (紗布) — gauze cloth

사단 (紗緞) — fine silk fabrics

Medical:

거즈 / 사포 (紗布) — medical gauze

紗 emphasizes texture and structure, not ornament.

Often contrasted with:

絹 — dense silk

布 — cloth (general)

The character is associated with lightness, transparency, and delicacy.

Unlike general silk (絹), 紗 emphasizes openness of weave, not luxury alone.

Related characters:

糸 — thread; silk

絹 — silk (dense)

布 — cloth

綿 — cotton

羅 — netted silk fabric

Among these, 紗 most strongly denotes sheer fabric defined by sparse weaving, rather than by material alone.

Classical / practical usage:

輕紗薄衣 — “light gauze and thin garments”

隔紗見影 — “to see a shadow through gauze”