贵 (guì) means "expensive" with HSK 1 on the new exam.
Pronunciation
Meaning
Primary: expensive
Etymology
Oracle-bone origin
The traditional form 貴 is a phono-semantic compound. The bottom element 貝 depicts a cowrie shell, which served as currency in Shang and early Zhou China and appears in most characters relating to wealth, trade, and value. The top element 臾 (a simplified remnant of an earlier shape sometimes analysed as two hands holding something up, or as a phonetic indicator) signalled pronunciation in Old Chinese.
Form evolution
In bronze inscriptions the cowrie component 貝 is clearly drawn with the shell's slit and two antennae-like legs beneath. Seal script regularised the upper component into a stacked shape and stylised 貝 into the familiar squared form. Clerical script flattened the curves into straight strokes, and modern kaishu gives 貴; the simplified mainland form 贵 further reduces 貝 to 贝 by dropping the inner horizontal strokes.
How the meaning evolved
The original sense was 'expensive' or 'of high monetary value', tied directly to the cowrie-currency component. From there it extended early on to 'precious, valuable' in a general sense, then to social status ('noble, honoured'), and finally to the polite second-person register used in phrases like 贵姓 (your honourable surname). All modern senses radiate from the core idea of high worth.
Cultural note
The polite 贵姓 literally means 'noble surname' and is the standard respectful way to ask someone's family name on first meeting; answering with 免贵姓王 ('dispensing with the honorific, my surname is Wang') is a textbook modest reply that many learners never hear until they travel.
Basic info
| Pinyin | guì |
| Meanings | expensive |
| New HSK exam | Recognise at HSK 1 |
| Frequency | #795 most common |
Example sentences
这个太贵了。
Zhège tài guì le.
This is too expensive.
From 贵 (HSK 1)
这次失败的经历虽然痛苦，但给了我许多宝贵的经验。
Zhè cì shībài de jīnglì suīrán tòngkǔ, dàn gěi le wǒ xǔduō bǎoguì de jīngyàn.
Although this failure was painful, it gave me much valuable experience.
From 宝贵 (HSK 5)
这件衣服价格昂贵。
Zhè jiàn yīfu jiàgé ángguì.
This garment is expensive.
From 昂贵 (HSK 6)
Words containing 贵
On the new HSK 1 exam
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Frequently Asked Questions
Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.