財

It is a phono-semantic compound formed from:

貝 (“cowrie shell,” symbolizing money or valuables) as the semantic element;

才 (“talent, ability, jae”) as the phonetic element.

Historically, 貝 was used in many characters relating to wealth, trade, and valuables, since cowrie shells were an early form of currency in China. The addition of 才 gave the character its specific sound while keeping the semantic field of valuables. Over time, 財 came to represent not just physical goods but also property, fortune, and economic resources more generally.

Common compounds:

재물 (財物) – possessions, wealth

재산 (財産) – property, estate

재정 (財政) – finance, administration of funds

부자 (富者) – a rich person (富 + 者), often contrasted with 빈자 (貧者) “poor person.”