Dong Chinese dictionary

cái

wealth

Phonosemantic compound. 貝 represents the meaning and 才 represents the sound.

Components

貝 Meaning component

bèi

sea shell

In ancient China, shells were used as currency.

才 Sound component

cái

talent

Evolution

Seal script

Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical script

Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical script

Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical script

Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Regular script

Modern

Definitions

cái

wealth, valuables, riches; money; wealth; riches; property; valuables

Most common words with 財

Sources