Chinese character 詐

It means deceive, cheat, or pretend. In Chinese, it appears in compounds for fraud or a feigned act; Japanese also uses it in words for fraud and false claims.

The oldest recorded examples are bronze inscriptions from the late Spring and Autumn period in ancient China. Later forms appear on Warring States bronzes and Qin slips, narrow bamboo strips used for writing. In 詐, 言 marks speech and 乍 supplies the sound.

Before Eastern Han, 詐 appeared alongside 欺; by the Wei–Jin period, 欺 began to take the lead. In Japanese, 詐 is read さ (sa) in compounds such as 詐欺 and 詐称, and いつわる (itsuwaru) as a verb meaning to deceive. Taiwan Mandarin also has zhǎ, approximately “jah” with a low-then-rising third tone, for verbally probing someone to draw out information.

What does 詐 mean when someone sends it?

It can sound like an accusation of deception. A compound such as 詐騙 names fraud, while 詐降 and 詐死 name feigned actions; the surrounding characters make the reading more specific.

If someone sends only 詐 directly at you, take it as potentially accusatory unless the surrounding exchange makes another intent clear.

Why does simplified Chinese use 诈?

Traditional Chinese uses 詐; simplified Chinese uses 诈. They are traditional and simplified forms of the same character, with the same meaning. An input method may offer the form used in its language setting.