重宝
ちょうほう · chouhou · JLPT N1 · na-adj
useful
🧰 重 = heavy/important + 宝 = treasure: a useful thing you'd treasure
重 means weighty or important, and 宝 means treasure. Something convenient is so useful in daily life that it becomes a valued treasure. Sounds like chou-hou: 'cho' rhymes with 'toe'.
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'.
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.