Definitions

(noun) merchant; trader
(verb) to buy
Jiǎ (noun) family name

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "贾" derives from its traditional form "賈", a composition that places the "襾" component over "貝", with the latter element symbolizing shell currency and firmly anchoring the character's early semantic field to commerce and those who practiced it. Historically, it specifically denoted a merchant or trader, a meaning prevalent in classical texts, but its application gradually broadened to serve as a common surname, acquiring a separate phonetic value while its original commercial sense endured in compound terms. The simplified form "贾" altered the structure by substituting the top with "西", a graphical simplification that retained the lower "贝" component and its economic connotations, thereby preserving the character's core conceptual ties despite the visual transformation. This continuity ensured that the character's dual roles, reflecting both vocational and patronymic functions, remained intact across its long development.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 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 Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

先生是我朋友。

Jiǎ xiānsheng shì wǒ péngyou.

Mr. Jia is my friend.

女士在看书。

Jiǎ nǚshì zài kànshū.

Ms. Jia is reading a book.

经理工作很忙。

Jiǎ jīnglǐ gōngzuò hěn máng.

Manager Jia is very busy with work.

宝玉是小说人物。

Jiǎ Bǎoyù shì xiǎoshuō rénwù.

Jia Baoyu is a novel character.

教授发表了新论文。

Jiǎ jiàoshòu fābiǎo le xīn lùnwén.

Professor Jia published a new paper.

公司的产品质量很好。

Jiǎ gōngsī de chǎnpǐn zhìliàng hěn hǎo.

The products of Jia Company are of good quality.

老板昨天去了北京。

Jiǎ lǎobǎn zuótiān qù le Běijīng.

Boss Jia went to Beijing yesterday.

氏家族历史悠久。

Jiǎ shì jiāzú lìshǐ yōujiǔ.

The Jia family has a long history.