朋péng

朋 (péng), meaning "friend," has remained identical in both simplified and traditional forms. In ancient script, the character showed two strings of贝 (cowrie shells, used as money) tied together—a symbol of wealth and close association that naturally extended to mean companion or friend. This economic origin gives the character its enduring sense of partnership, seen in words like 朋友 (friend) and 朋辈 (peers).