Kanji Breakdown: 賊
Core Meaning: Rebel, traitor, bandit, robber
Reading: ゾク (zoku)
Structure Analysis:
貝 (shell/money): valuables/wealth
戎 (weapons/military): arms/force
Character depicts "armed takers of valuables" - violent theft and rebellion.
Essential Vocabulary & Usage
1. 海賊 (かいぞく・kaizoku) - Pirate
"Pirates attacked the merchant ship."
海賊が商船を襲撃した。
2. 賊軍 (ぞくぐん・zokugun) - Rebel army
"The rebel forces were defeated."
賊軍は敗北した。
3. 盗賊 (とうぞく・tōzoku) - Bandit, robber
"The bandits stole the treasure."
盗賊が宝物を盗んだ。
4. 国賊 (こくぞく・kokuzoku) - Traitor (to nation)
"He was executed as a national traitor."
彼は国賊として処刑された。
Key Insight
賊 represents armed lawbreakers and rebels - from pirates and bandits to political traitors. Unlike simple thieves (盗人), 賊 implies organized violence and rebellion against authority. The character appears in historical, political, and criminal contexts describing those who use force against established order.
*Stroke Order: 13 strokes - write 貝 first, then 戎 component.*