Sarah in Chinese
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: princess
The standard Chinese transliteration of Sarah, pronounced Sà Lā. The characters are chosen for sound: 萨 (sà, "Bodhisattva (phonetic 'sa')"), 拉 (lā, "to pull (phonetic 'la')"). Native speakers will immediately recognize it as the name Sarah.
Character Breakdown
Note: Reads as the name "Sarah" to native speakers; the characters are chosen for sound, so don't expect a poetic meaning. Traditional form 薩拉 differs from simplified 萨拉; pick one script and keep it consistent. Use a proper calligraphy font and have a native speaker check the final stencil (stroke order and orientation).
A Chinese-style given name inspired by the meaning of Sarah ("princess"), expressing nobility and greatness: 若 (ruò, "like, as if") + 华 (huá, "splendid, magnificent; China").
Character Breakdown
Note: A meaning-based Chinese given name; it will not sound like your English name, so pair it with an explanation if that matters to you. Traditional form 若華 differs from simplified 若华; pick one script and keep it consistent. Use a proper calligraphy font and have a native speaker check the final stencil (stroke order and orientation).
Opens with 萨 (sà, "Bodhisattva (phonetic 'sa')"), which echoes the first sound of Sarah (Sà), and adds 仪 (yí, "bearing, grace; ceremony") for nobility and greatness. It reads like a natural Chinese given name with a nod to your English one.
Character Breakdown
Note: Looks and sounds like a genuine Chinese given name while still echoing your name; a popular choice for tattoos. Traditional form 薩儀 differs from simplified 萨仪; pick one script and keep it consistent. Use a proper calligraphy font and have a native speaker check the final stencil (stroke order and orientation).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you write Sarah in Chinese?
The most common way is 萨拉 (traditional: 薩拉), pronounced Sà Lā. This is the standard phonetic transliteration you would see in Chinese media and translations.
What does 萨拉 mean?
萨拉 is a sound-based transliteration, so as a whole it simply means "Sarah". Individually: 萨 (sà) = Bodhisattva (phonetic 'sa'); 拉 (lā) = to pull (phonetic 'la'). If you want real meaning, try 若华 (Ruò Huá), inspired by the meaning of Sarah: "princess".
Which Chinese name for Sarah is best for a tattoo?
Choose 萨拉 if you want people to recognize your name, 若华 if you prefer meaning over sound, or 萨仪 for a natural-sounding Chinese name that still echoes Sarah. Whatever you pick, use a calligraphy font and ask a native speaker to check the final design.