貰

(literary) to buy on credit

A phono-semantic compound:

貝 (shell, money) — semantic component, represents wealth, currency, or economic exchange.

世 (generation; world) — phonetic component, supplies the sound and contributes the idea of ongoing or repeated use.

Together, the character conveys the idea of using something temporarily in exchange for money.

Because 貝 was the traditional radical for money or valuables, the character naturally came to signify monetary exchange for housing or property.

Originally, 貰 meant “to obtain the use of something by paying a price.” From this core sense, the character came to express both sides of a rental relationship, depending on context:

- to rent (as a tenant) — paying to use something

- to let (as a landlord) — receiving payment for use

Because of this duality, the exact meaning is determined by surrounding words.

It is the character behind many modern Korean terms relating to rent and leasing.

Although more common in everyday usage are terms such like 賃貸 (임대) “lease out” and 賃借 (임차) “rent”, 貰 remains important in legal texts, classical writings, and historical documents.

It is the root of the Korean word 세 (rent) used in terms like 월세 (monthly rent) and 전세 (key-money lease).

賃貰 (임세) — renting; lease agreement

貰借 (세차) — to rent; to hire

貰屋 (세옥) — a rented house

Thus, 貰 emphasizes the economic transaction rather than mere borrowing.

Semantic distinction:

借 — to borrow (may be free or paid)

貸 — to lend (focus on the lender)

貰 — to rent or lease with payment explicitly involved