貴重
きちょう · kichou · JLPT N3 · na-adj
valuable
💎 貴重 = noble/costly (貴) + weighty (重): something that carries real worth
貴 contains 貝, the old shell-money radical, so it marks things of high value. 重 means heavy or important. Together they describe something with real weight in value, like 貴重品 (kichōhin), the valuables you hand in for safekeeping.
重 — person 人 + east 東 (phonetic)
Originally depicted a person carrying a heavy bundle on their back, suggesting weight and burden. The 東-like element served as a phonetic component. Over time the character split into two readings: zhòng meaning 'heavy' and chóng meaning 'repeat/again'.