牌
pái · HSK 4
card
🀫 片 (slice) + 卑 phonetic — a flat slice: a card, tile, or plaque
Left side 片 means slice or flat piece; right side 卑 gives the sound pái. Together: a flat slab — dominoes, playing cards, signboards, name plates. Same character covers card games (打牌) and the ci/qu tune-pattern names.
牌 — 片 (slice/tablet) + 卑 (phonetic)
A semantic-phonetic compound: 片 'slice, thin board' gives the meaning of a flat tablet or plaque, while 卑 supplies the sound. Originally referred to wooden or bamboo tablets used as signs or labels, later extending to playing cards, brand names, and license plates.