Kanji study - 貝 shell

Shells are money!?

On-yomi	かい kai
Kun-yomi	-
Meaning	shell(s)

Let's take a look at the origin of the kanji "貝 (kai)"
It's the shape of a cowrie, a species of shell fish.




In ancient times, these types of shells had been used as money until they started using coins instead.
This kanji "貝" mainly means shell(s), but also stands for money and wealth.

Look at these kanji below.
買 財 貨
They are some kanji that include the kanji "貝".
And they all mean something related to money.

On-yomi	ばい bai
Kun-yomi	か(う) kau
Meaning	buy

The kanji "買" is a combination of "shell" and "net".
People take the collected shells(money) out of their net to "buy" something.

On-yomi	か ka
Kun-yomi	-
Meaning	currency, freight

The kanji "貨" is a combination of "shell" and "change".
They get something in exchange for shells(money).
So shell and change has come to mean "currency".

On-yomi	ざい zai
Kun-yomi	-
Meaning	wealth

The kanji "財" is a combination of "shell" and "talent".
"才" originally means high quality wood that prevent rivers from flooding.
So the kanji "才" comes to mean something(someone) very useful.
This kanji indicates money and wealth.




I prepared a practice sheet for these new kanji.
Download and print it to practice on it!

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