Definitions

chái a class; a company; companion

Etymology phono-semantic

person

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

is a phono-semantic compound: the (person) radical signals a connection to people, while provides the sound, a simplification of the traditional phonetic in . It denotes a companion, peer, or group of individuals of the same generation, social class, or profession, emphasizing equality and association within a cohort. Found primarily in formal or literary contexts, it refers strictly to human associates or equals and is uncommon in casual modern usage.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern