Common Meanings
1
shà厦
A large building or mansion.
这座城市有许多高楼大厦。
This city has many tall buildings.
When pronounced 'shà', '厦' refers to a projecting part or an annex at the back of a house, often serving a specific function. It is commonly seen in the compound '前廊后厦' (qián láng hòu shà), meaning 'a front veranda and a back projecting room'.
这间老屋保留了前廊后厦的传统格局，显得古朴典雅。
This old house retains the traditional layout of a front veranda and a back projecting room, appearing quaint and elegant.
2
xià厦
Refers to Xiamen, a city name in Fujian Province, China.
我计划去厦门旅游。
I plan to travel to Xiamen.