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The character 赙 (traditional form 賻) is a phono-semantic compound. The radical 贝 (cowrie shell) on the left relates it to wealth and transactions, while the component 专 (traditionally 尃) on the right provides its pronunciation. Historically, it denoted the specific practice of contributing money or goods to a bereaved family to assist with funeral costs, reflecting traditional Chinese customs of community support during mourning. This meaning has remained specialized; the term is used formally in historical and modern ceremonial contexts for this purpose, without extending to general financial applications.
Etymology Hide
