负
fù · HSK 6
to bear; to carry (on one's back)
💔 负 = top burden 'person' + 贝 shell/money: carry debt, then betray
Old form shows a person bent under shells (wealth/debt). From 'bear a load' it stretches to 'owe', and from 'fail to repay' to 'betray, let down, go against'. Same character in 负责 bear responsibility and 辜负 betray trust.
负 — person 𠂉 (人) on top + cowrie shell 贝
Originally depicted a person carrying cowrie shells (money), showing someone bearing a load or owing wealth. From this came the meanings 'to carry on the back,' 'to bear a burden,' and by extension 'to owe' or 'negative.' The simplified form 负 keeps 贝 (shell/money) under a person.