費 (fèi)
expenses, fees; to cost, to spend; wasteful
Etymology
Phonosemantic compound. 貝 represents the meaning and 弗 represents the sound.
Shuowen Jiezi
《說文》：“費，散財用也。从貝，弗聲。”
Components
- 弗 (sound)
- 貝 (meaning) — In ancient China shells were used as currency.