Definitions

shǎng (verb) to reward; to bestow
shǎng (verb) to appreciate (beauty)
shǎng (noun) reward; prize

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

As a phono-semantic compound, the character 赏 (traditionally written 賞) combines 尚 (shàng) on top, which provides the phonetic element and conveys esteem, with the radical 贝 (bèi) below. The latter, depicting a cowrie shell used as ancient currency, ties the character to money, wealth, and material value. Originally, it meant a superior bestowing wealth, land, or valuable gifts upon a subordinate as a reward for merit. This concept of granting something valuable later expanded to include the appreciation of beautiful or worthy things, leading to its secondary meaning of admiring or deeply enjoying art, scenery, or performances.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我非常欣这幅画。

Wǒ fēicháng xīnshǎng zhè fú huà.

I really appreciate this painting.

春天我们去花。

Chūntiān wǒmen qù shǎng huā.

In spring, we go to admire flowers.

中秋节晚上我们月。

Zhōngqiū jié wǎnshang wǒmen shǎng yuè.

On Mid-Autumn Festival evening, we admire the moon.

我们在公园观风景。

Wǒmen zài gōngyuán guānshǎng fēngjǐng.

We view the scenery in the park.

老师奖了优秀学生。

Lǎoshī jiǎngshǎng le yōuxiù xuéshēng.

The teacher rewarded the outstanding students.

皇帝赐了他很多宝物。

Huángdì shǎngcì le tā hěn duō bǎowù.

The emperor bestowed many treasures upon him.

请您脸参加我的生日聚会。

Qǐng nín shǎng liǎn cānjiā wǒ de shēngrì jùhuì.

Please honor me with your presence at my birthday party.

艺术品需要专业知识。

Jiànshǎng yìshùpǐn xūyào zhuānyè zhīshì.

Appreciating artworks requires professional knowledge.