A part
砂
Shown as a part of 3 words so far, read 2 ways.
さ 2 words
- 砂漠さばくdesert
砂漠 · here “sand”
- 砂糖さとうsugar
砂糖 · here “sand”
じゃ 1 word
- 砂利じゃりgravel, ballast, pebbles
砂利 · here “small” (from しゃ)
Also written with 砂
These words contain the character in their spelling but show no breakdown that names it, so nothing is claimed about its role in them.