赠 zèng to bestow
to bestow; to confer; to present a gift; to give as a present
How to remember 赠: 贝 sea shell + 曾 used to be = to bestow. Grandpa finds the sea shell that used to be grandma's favourite and ties a ribbon round it, ready to bestow.
Component breakdown
赠 = 贝 sea shell + 曾 used to be
- 贝 sea shell
- 曾 used to be
Grandpa finds the sea shell that used to be grandma's favourite and ties a ribbon round it, ready to bestow.
How it is used
- To present as a gift, more formal than 送. 赠送 (zèngsòng) to give as a gift - 免费赠送 (miǎnfèi zèngsòng) given away free.
- Common on gift inscriptions and promotions: 买一赠一 (mǎi yī zèng yī) buy one get one free.
- 捐赠 (juānzèng) = to donate (to charity, an institution). 赠 carries a giving-without-return, often generous or charitable, tone.