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责zé

Character evolution

责

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Simplified · Today

Shuowen

责 (zé). The character combines 贝 (shell, ancient currency) as the semantic element indicating money or value, with 𡗗 as the phonetic component. Its original meaning is "to demand, to exact payment" — literally to require or press for what is owed, as one would demand repayment of a debt. The shell radical reveals this was understood as a financial obligation or fiscal demand in ancient economic contexts.

Pinyin

zé· HSK 2