槎
How to Say
How to Write
Meaning: a raft made of bamboo or wood
💡 Imagine a wooden raft (木) floating on water—槎 sounds like 'chop' as in chopping wood.
Compounds
Character Story & Explanation
槎 (chá) originally referred to a raft made of bamboo or wood, often used for river travel. In ancient Chinese literature, it symbolizes voyages and celestial journeys, most famously in the legend of a man who sailed on a raft to reach the Milky Way. The radical 木 (wood) highlights its material, while the phonetic component 差 contributes to pronunciation.
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up
Your First Step into Chinese Culture: Get a Chinese Name
Every journey into Chinese begins with a name. Use our free Chinese name generator to create a meaningful, personalized Chinese name that fits you perfectly.
Get My Chinese Name →
0