gòu

buy

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Components
貝 meaning component

  Meaning component

bèi

  

sea shell

In ancient China, shells were used as currency.

冓 sound component

  Sound component

gòu

  

a secluded place

Evolution

購 Seal script Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal script

Shuowen (~100 AD)
購 Clerical script Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical script

Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
購 Clerical script Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical script

Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
購 Clerical script Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical script

Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
購 Regular script Modern

Regular script

Modern
Definitions

() 

gòu

buy, purchase; hire; to buy; to purchase

Most common words with 購
Freq.
Word
Meaning

购物

shopping

购买

to buy

to buy

收购

to acquire (a company)

采购

to purchase