Dong Chinese dictionary

cái

wealth

Phonosemantic compound. 贝 represents the meaning and 才 represents the sound. Simplified form of 財.

Components

贝 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

Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional script

Modern

Simplified script

Modern

Definitions

cái

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

Most common words with 财

Sources