shì

borrow

Components
世 sound component

  Sound component

shì

  

generation

贝 meaning component

  Meaning component

bèi

  

sea shell

money

Evolution

贳 Seal script Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal script

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

Clerical script

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

Clerical script

Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
贳 Clerical script Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical script

Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
贳 Simplified script Modern

Simplified script

Modern
Definitions

() 

shì

borrow; pardon; loan; to borrow; to buy on credit; to rent out