贝 (bèi) - Shell, cowrie & currency, money
贝 · bèi
Shell, cowrie;
currency, money;
valuable;
a surname.
Shell, cowriecurrency, moneyvaluable
Usage highlights
ShellTreasure, babyShellfishBei surnameCowrie shellConch
Usage & contexts
Examples
- This is a seashell (贝壳).
- He collects shells (贝壳).
- The baby is precious (宝贝).
- I need to withdraw money (取钱) from the bank.
Collocations
- Shell(贝壳)
- Treasure, baby(宝贝)
- Shellfish(贝类)
- Bei surname(贝姓)
- Cowrie shell(贝币)
- Conch(海贝)
Idioms
- Priceless treasure(宝贝疙瘩)
- Shellfish and pearls(贝阙珠宫)
- Carved shell and inlaid jade(贝雕玉砌)
Cultural background
FAQ- In ancient China, cowrie shells were used as currency before the invention of metal coins.
- The character 贝 is the radical for many characters related to wealth, trade, and value.
- As a surname, 贝 is relatively rare but has historical roots.