About
The character for "to purchase", now commonly seen in its simplified form as "购", originated from the traditional form "購", which is composed of the semantic component "貝" (shell, money) and the phonetic component "冓". This structure reflects its core association with commercial transaction, with its earliest meanings centered not on routine buying but on the specific acts of offering a reward for something or the payment of a ransom. Over time, the meaning generalized to encompass any act of acquiring goods in exchange for money, solidifying its primary modern usage. The simplified form retained the significant "貝" component but replaced the complex phonetic element "冓" with the simpler and more familiar "勾", resulting in a character that maintains its conceptual link to commerce through the money radical while adopting a less complex graphical form.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我购买一本书。
他喜欢购物。
我们需要购买食物。
她在线购买衣服。
公司计划购买新设备。
为了健康，他购买有机蔬菜。
在购物节期间，许多人疯狂购物。
政府应该采购环保产品以促进可持续发展。