账号
zhàng hào · HSK 7
account
🧾 账号 = account/ledger (账) + number (号): your account number or login ID
账 carries the 贝 shell-money radical, the old marker for anything to do with money and ledgers; 号 means number or mark. Together: the numbered account you log in with.
账 — shell radical 贝 + length 长
账 is a semantic-phonetic compound. The shell radical 贝 (originally cowrie shells used as money) signals a connection to wealth or financial matters, while 长 (zhǎng/cháng) provides the sound. It means 'account' or 'debt,' and is a later variant of the older form 帳.
号 — mouth 口 + tiger 虎
Originally written 號, combining 口 (mouth, indicating a cry or call) with 虎 (tiger) as the phonetic and a hint at a loud roar. It first meant to shout or call out, then extended to a name, title, or signal. The simplified form 号 keeps only the upper element.
zhàng hào · HSK 5
account (online)
💳 账 = account/ledger + 号 = number; literally 'account number'
账 (zhàng) means account or ledger and contains 贝 (shell/money). 号 (hào) means number or designation. Together: the number assigned to your account — same logic as English 'account number'.
账 — shell radical 贝 + length 长
账 is a semantic-phonetic compound. The shell radical 贝 (originally cowrie shells used as money) signals a connection to wealth or financial matters, while 长 (zhǎng/cháng) provides the sound. It means 'account' or 'debt,' and is a later variant of the older form 帳.
号 — mouth 口 + tiger 虎
Originally written 號, combining 口 (mouth, indicating a cry or call) with 虎 (tiger) as the phonetic and a hint at a loud roar. It first meant to shout or call out, then extended to a name, title, or signal. The simplified form 号 keeps only the upper element.