Ancient society was divided into noble and lowly ranks.
Tips
usage
贱 can mean 'cheap in price' (贱卖 sell cheaply) or 'base/despicable' (卑贱 lowly). In modern slang, calling someone 贱 is a strong insult meaning 'shameless' or 'trashy'.
mistakes
Don't confuse 贱 (jiàn, cheap/base) with 便宜 (piányi, cheap/affordable). 便宜 is neutral; 贱 carries a negative connotation.
