贩 fàn merchant
merchant; peddler
怎么记住“贩”: 贝 sea shell + 反 oppose = merchant. The man selling sea shell necklaces on the beach ignores the lifeguards who oppose him, a born merchant and showman.
部件结构
形声 · Meaning + sound
One part gives the meaning, the other gives the sound.
贩 = 贝 sea shell + 反 oppose
- 贝 sea shell meaning
- 反 oppose sound
- 𠂆 factory
- 又 again
The man selling sea shell necklaces on the beach ignores the lifeguards who oppose him, a born merchant and showman.
How it came to be
The shell gives the meaning and the sign for to oppose gives the sound.
用法
- To peddle/deal in / a trader: 小贩 (xiǎofàn) a street vendor, 商贩 (shāngfàn) a trader, 贩卖 (fànmài) to peddle/traffic (贩卖毒品 to traffic drugs), 贩子 (fànzi) a dealer (often shady: 人贩子 a human trafficker).
- 贩卖 often carries a negative, illicit tone. 贩 = to buy cheap and sell on.