宝
たから · takara · JLPT N3 · noun
treasure
💎 宝 = roof 宀 + jade 玉: jade kept under your roof is treasure
The old form 寶 packed more valuables under the roof: jade 玉, a jar 缶 and a cowrie shell 貝, which was once money. For the reading takara, a sound hook: take a rare gem, and you have treasure.
宝 — roof 宀 + jade 玉 (simplified from 寶)
Originally written 寶, showing a roof 宀 over jade 玉, a jar 缶, and shell 貝 (money) — valuables kept safely at home. The simplified form 宝 keeps just the roof and jade, preserving the core idea of 'treasure.' It now means treasure, precious, or valuable.