联赛
liánsài · HSK 6
league matches
🏆⚽ 联赛 = connect + compete — competitions linked together make a league
联 (lián) means to connect or unite. 赛 (sài) means competition or race. A league is simply competitions connected in a series — teams all linked by a shared schedule of matches.
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.