参赛
cānsài · HSK 6
take part in match
🏆 参 = take part + 赛 = contest/match
参 means to participate or join in; 赛 means a competition or race. Together 参赛 literally reads as join-the-contest, i.e. to enter or take part in a match.
赛 — roof 宀 + 共 (together) + shell 貝
赛 originally meant offering thanks or recompense to spirits, written with 貝 (cowrie/money) suggesting tribute or payment. The upper part acts as the phonetic component. Over time the meaning shifted from ritual repayment to 'compete' or 'contest,' as in matches between rivals.