贾
merchant; do business; buy; incur; sell
Meanings
5 senses · 25 examplesnoun
merchant (ancient: fixed-peddler)
literaryAncient Chinese terminology distinction: 贾 referred to fixed-site peddlers, while 商 referred to traveling merchants.
Ancient book merchants mostly sold classics at marketplaces.
This old merchant is a well-known cloth trader locally.
Show 3 more examplesShow fewer examples
A large number of grain merchants emerged in the Jiangnan region during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
The peddlers on the street shouted to attract customers.
The merchant surnamed Gu in the novel is a shrewd businessman.
verb
do business; trade
literaryFormal and literary usage, rarely used in modern spoken Mandarin except in fixed phrases.
He accumulated huge wealth with his skill at doing business with ample capital.
Lv Buwei during the Warring States period was skilled at the art of profiting from trade.
Show 3 more examplesShow fewer examples
In ancient times, many people in Jiangnan engaged in trade rather than becoming officials.
This time-honored shop has been trading north and south goods for a hundred years.
He traveled around doing business in his early years and accumulated rich life experience.
verb
to buy; purchase
literaryPurely literary usage, almost never used in modern daily conversation.
He once bought horses at the market and met many heroes.
Ancient people bought books and burned the midnight oil just to expand their knowledge.
Show 3 more examplesShow fewer examples
He bought boats to cross rivers and was not afraid of storms.
Lord Pingyuan of the Warring States period once recruited scholars to secure his position.
He bought fine materials to build a house, which took three years to complete.
verb
to incur; to bring upon oneself
literaryLiterary usage, used to describe bringing trouble, blame, or misfortune upon oneself.
He was opinionated and self-willed, and eventually incurred misfortune for himself.
Those who spread rumors will eventually bring trouble upon themselves and suffer the consequences.
Show 3 more examplesShow fewer examples
He spoke disrespectfully and brought trouble upon himself.
The powerful minister was domineering and brought disaster to the entire court and people.
He coveted small profits and brought disaster to his entire family.
verb
to sell
literaryLiterary usage, appears mostly in fixed classical phrases.
This veteran general still has plenty of fight left in him and can go into battle to kill enemies.
Merchants sold goods at the market to make a living.
Show 3 more examplesShow fewer examples
He sold paintings for a living and barely supported his family.
Most of the book sellers on the streets were poor scholars.
He sold his sword at the market, hoping to find a wise ruler to serve.