貴 means “precious, noble”

き · ki

Also: value, prize, esteem

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)
たっとい, とうとい, たっとぶ, とうとぶ
On'yomi (Chinese reading)
キ

JLPT N1 · Taught in grade 6 · 12 strokes

The story

A shell (貝), the old money, under a shape like 中 and a bar: picture treasure held up high. 貴 is precious and noble: hotels ask you to lock 貴重品, valuables, in the room safe, and 貴族 is the aristocracy.

Used in 貴重 (kichou, precious/valuable), 貴族 (kizoku, aristocracy), and 貴い (toutoi, precious/noble)

More from Emperors & Nobles

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Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.