賴 (lài)

to depend on, to rely on; to bilk, to deny; poor

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 貝 represents the meaning and 剌 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "profit". The meaning later shifted to "rely on" and "blame".

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》:“賴,贏也。从貝,剌聲。”

Original meaning

profit

Components