债 zhài debt
debt; loan; liability
How to remember 债: 亻 person + 责 duty = debt. The young person feels it is her duty to pay back every cent her late father owed, a heavy debt.
Component breakdown
债 = 亻 person + 责 duty
- 亻 person
- 责 duty
- 龶 plant
- 贝 sea shell
The young person feels it is her duty to pay back every cent her late father owed, a heavy debt.
How it is used
- Debt - money or obligation owed - 债务 (zhàiwù) debt/liabilities, 还债 (huán zhài) to repay a debt, 欠债 (qiàn zhài) to be in debt.
- Also a financial instrument - 债券 (zhàiquàn) bond, 国债 (guózhài) government bonds.
- Figurative too: 人情债 (rénqíng zhài) the debt of a favor owed.