Meaning
财 refers to wealth, money, or material possessions. It is a fundamental concept in Chinese culture and appears in many compound words related to finance, economy, and prosperity. The character is commonly used in both formal financial contexts and everyday expressions about money.
Usage
财 rarely appears alone in modern Mandarin and is almost always part of compound words like 财产 (property), 财富 (wealth), or 财务 (finance). It carries a neutral to positive connotation and is commonly seen in business, accounting, and economic contexts. The traditional form 財 shows the radical 贝 (shell), reflecting ancient China's use of shells as currency.
Examples
- 01恭喜发财！!Wishing you prosperity! (common Chinese New Year greeting)
- 02公司的财务状况很好。.The company's financial situation is very good.
Common collocations
- 财务financial affairs, finance
- 财政finance, public finance
- 发财to get rich, to make a fortune
- 财运wealth luck, fortune
Antonyms
Origin
The character combines 贝 (shell, used as ancient currency) with 才 (talent/ability), originally suggesting wealth or resources. The traditional form 財 more clearly shows the 贝 radical on the right side.