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competition

HSK 10
sài
サイ
Phonosemantic compound. 貝 represents the meaning and 塞 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "thank offering". The meaning later shifted to "compete".
Components
Traditional (賽)
stronghold+ shellfish =
competition
Phonetic component
sāi stronghold
stop up, block, seal, cork
View phonetic series →
Meaning component
shellfish
Shells were used as currency in ancient China.
Simplified (赛)
Phonetic component
sāi stronghold
stop up, block, seal, cork
View phonetic series →
Meaning component
bèi sea shell
Shells were used as currency in ancient China.
Notes
Historical Evolution
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal
Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal
Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal
Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal
Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal
Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal
Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal
Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal
Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal
Shuowen (~100 AD)
Regular
Modern
Chinese
/ [sài]
to compete; competition; match; to surpass; better than; superior to; to excel
Japanese
(rare) 骰子 (rare) さい 同音
noun formal dice; die
Example Sentences