Learn a Chinese Character

1. Character Basics

Radical: 贝/bèi (shell, money), 臾/yú (moment)

Stroke Count: 9 strokes

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: Guì (Fourth tone)

3. Meaning

Basic Meaning: Expensive; valuable; noble; precious

Extended Meaning: Important; respected; high-ranking

Additional Meaning: Your (honorific); to value; to cherish

4. Common Words

贵重 (guì zhòng) - Valuable; precious

这是一件贵重的礼物。(Zhè shì yí jiàn guì zhòng de lǐ wù.)

This is a valuable gift.
高贵 (gāo guì) - Noble; high-class

她有着高贵的气质。(Tā yǒu zhe gāo guì de qì zhì.)

She has a noble temperament.
贵族 (guì zú) - Noble; aristocracy

在古代，贵族拥有很多特权。(Zài gǔ dài, guì zú yōng yǒu hěn duō tè quán.)

In ancient times, nobles had many privileges.
珍贵 (zhēn guì) - Precious; rare

时间是最珍贵的财富。(Shí jiān shì zuì zhēn guì de cái fù.)

Time is the most precious wealth.
贵宾 (guì bīn) - Distinguished guest; VIP

我们将热烈欢迎贵宾的到来。(Wǒ men jiāng rè liè huān yíng guì bīn de dào lái.)

We will warmly welcome the distinguished guests.

5. Grammar & Usage

Part of Speech: Mainly used as an adjective, sometimes as a noun or verb

Usage Patterns:

As an adjective: 贵 (expensive), 贵重 (valuable)
As a noun: 贵族 (noble), 贵人 (noble person)
As a verb: 宝贵 (to value), 珍贵 (to cherish)
As an honorific: 贵姓 (What's your surname? - polite form)

Collocations:

价钱贵 (expensive price)
贵族血统 (noble blood)
宝贵经验 (valuable experience)

6. Cultural Background

In Chinese culture, the character 贵 (guì) has deep cultural significance. Originally associated with valuable shells (used as currency in ancient China), it evolved to represent concepts of value, nobility, and respect.

Traditional Chinese society placed great emphasis on social hierarchy, and 贵 was often used to describe the upper class or those of high social status. Even today, it retains its honorific usage in polite expressions like 贵姓 (What's your surname? - polite form) and 贵公司 (your company - polite form).

The character 贵 also appears in many idioms and proverbs, often related to the importance of valuing what is truly precious. For example, "物以稀为贵" (Wù yǐ xī wéi guì) means "Things are valued because they are rare."

7. Example Sentence

Example 1:

这个东西太贵了，我买不起。(Zhè ge dōng xi tài guì le, wǒ mǎi bù qǐ.)

This thing is too expensive, I can't afford it.

Example 2:

我们应该珍惜宝贵的时间。(Wǒ men yīng gāi zhēn xī bǎo guì de shí jiān.)

We should cherish our precious time.

Example 3:

请问您贵姓？(Qǐng wèn nín guì xìng?)

May I ask your surname? (polite form))

8. Memory Tips

Tip 1: Break down the character. 贵 (guì) consists of 贝 (bèi, shell/money) and 臾 (yú, moment), which connects to its original meaning related to valuable items.

Tip 2: Associate it with common words. Learn words like 贵重 (valuable), 高贵 (noble), and 珍贵 (precious) to reinforce your memory of the character.

Tip 3: Use visual association. Imagine something very expensive or valuable to help you remember the meaning of 贵.

Tip 4: Practice writing the character. Pay attention to the stroke order, especially the combination of 贝 and the upper part.

Tip 5: Use it in daily conversations. Try using words with 贵 when talking about prices, valuables, or showing respect.