資

A phono-semantic compound composed of:

貝 (패, “cowrie shell”) - provides the meaning (money, valuables; cowrie shells were used as currency in ancient China);

次 (차, “next, secondary”) - provides the sound.

The character originally referred to valuable resources or means, and later came to signify capital and assets more broadly.

자본 (資本) — capital

자산 (資産) — assets

자원 (資源) — resources

자금 (資金) — funds

투자 (投資) — investment

자격 (資格) - qualification

인적자원 (人的資源) — human resources

Beyond material wealth, 資 can denote:

- intellectual capital

- moral or personal endowment

- credentials or eligibility

This usage reflects the idea that capability itself is a form of resource.

Related characters:

財 — wealth; property

本 — root; basis; capital

源 — source; origin

産 — production; assets

供 — to provide

用 — use

In Classical Chinese texts, 資 frequently appears in contexts of:

- state administration

- military logistics

- moral or intellectual endowment

Examples of classical compounds:

資財 — material wealth

資糧 — provisions, supplies

資用 — means for use

In such contexts, 資 emphasizes preparedness and capacity, not mere possession.