懂中文 Dong Chinese

贺

hè

congratulate

Phonosemantic compound. 贝 represents the meaning and 加 represents the sound. Simplified form of 賀.

Components
加 sound component

加  Sound component

jiā

  

add

贝 meaning component

贝  Meaning component

bèi

  

sea shell

In ancient China shells were used as currency.

Evolution

贺 Bronze script Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Bronze script

Late Warring States (~250 BC)
贺 Seal script Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal script

Shuowen (~100 AD)
贺 Clerical script Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical script

Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
贺 Traditional script Modern

Traditional script

Modern
贺 Simplified script Modern

Simplified script

Modern
Definitions

贺 (賀) 

hè

congratulate; send present; to congratulate

贺 (賀) 

Hè

surname He

Most common words with 贺
Freq.
Word
Meaning

祝贺

to congratulate

贺

to congratulate

贺卡

greeting card

贺岁

to pay a New Year's visit

庆贺

to congratulate