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riches

HSK 10 N2
cái
ザイ、サイ、ゾク
たから
Phonosemantic compound. 貝 represents the meaning and 才 represents the sound.
Components
Traditional (財)
shellfish+ genius =
riches
Meaning component
shellfish
In ancient China, shells were used as currency.
Phonetic component
cái genius
a moment ago
View phonetic series →
Simplified (财)
sea shell+ genius =
wealth
Meaning component
bèi sea shell
In ancient China, shells were used as currency.
Phonetic component
cái genius
a moment ago
View phonetic series →
Notes
Historical Evolution
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal
Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical
Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical
Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical
Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Regular
Modern
Chinese
/ [cái]
money; wealth; riches; property; valuables
Japanese
ざい 同音

noun

  1. fortune; riches
  2. goods
  3. abbrev. incorporated foundation
たから 同音
noun treasure
Example Sentences
Japanese Names
ざい
Zai surname
たから
Takara surname