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yán
prolong
廴yǐn + 丿 + 止
stretch + slash + footprint
Character Notes

prolong the stretch by dragging your footprint (to reach further)

Character Comparison
Series

mud
氵 + 尼ní
water + Buddhist nun
Character Notes

Picture a Buddhist nun splashing in watery dirt or mud.

Character Comparison

xiāo
put up for sale
钅 + 肖xiào
metal + resemble
Character Notes

metal for-sale sign in front of the house in the shape of a house

Character Comparison
Series

gāo
tall
亠 + 口 + 冂 + 口
top hat + mouth + hood + mouth
Character Notes

This is a tall man costume with someone on someone else’s shoulders. The guy on top wears a top hat to make him even taller. The guy on the bottom wears a hood.

Character Comparison

fēi
fly [v.]
乙 + 丶 + 丶
fishing + drop + drop
Character Notes

drops of water flying off the hook in fly fishing

maple tree whirlybird seed pods

Character Comparison
习xí learn

shí
reality
宀 + 头
house + head/bust
Character Notes

The reality is they keep his real head in the house as a memorial.

Mother: The reality is that he may be head of the household, but I am head of the house. / Daughter: I want realistic busts of my foremothers on the mantle of my house.

Character Comparison

cōng
smart
耳 + 总zǒng
ear + general
Character Notes

smart person listens a lot and has general knowledge

Character Comparison
Series

chāo
transcend
走 + 召zhào
walk + summon
Character Notes

Among the many memorable prophets in the Bible is Elijah, who transcends death. He goes out walking and is summoned up to heaven in a chariot of fire. (Bible Series)

Alternatively: 走 + 刀 + 口 walk + knife + mouth

You walk to the supermarket, and a vendor is using his mouth to get you to buy a knife.

Character Comparison

shū
uncle
上 + 小 + 又
above + small + again/right hand
Character Notes

"Uncle Schubert is put in charge of the small kids again." (Uncle Schubert)

Picture this dynamic in your family: Above the small child is the father and his right-hand man is his brother, the uncle.

Character Comparison

xiān
*worm
Character Notes
Character Comparison

shǒu
guard [v.]
宀 + 寸
house + thumb
Character Notes

guard your house by activating a thumb pad

Character Comparison

jiào
call [v.]
口 + 丩jiū
mouth + horn
Character Notes

use mouth on the horn to call out

“His first horn was a straight one, just meant for callin’ the troops.” (Trumpeter Wu)

Character Comparison

yǎn
*electrocute
大 + 电diàn
large/large dog + electricity
Character Notes

Large electricity will electrocute someone (or a dog).

Character Comparison
Series

how many?, *wind
Character Notes

as a component “几字旁”

component derived from: 风 fēng wind/windstorm

Character Comparison

rén
*persona
person modified
Character Notes

This is one of the most common components in Chinese characters, so you need to choose a very uncommon person to be the "persona" in these character stories--a funny uncle, a favorite teacher, etc.--make sure it is someone that you know well who has a very colorful personality.

as a component: “人字旁” or “单人旁”

Character Comparison

miscellaneous
九 + 朩
nine + pole
Character Notes

nine poles of misc. lengths

Character Comparison

chǔn
foolish
春chūn + 虫 + 虫
springtime + insects
Character Notes

In the springtime insects are so hungry, they foolishly expose themselves to predators.

Character Comparison
Series

tòng
ache [v.]
疒 + 甬yǒng
sickness + hunter
Character Notes

LRRH’s stomach aches, so the hunter gives her some tums OR hunter uses spear to stab someone “很痛”

Character Comparison

yāng
center
大 + rp
large dog + “rescue pack”
Character Notes

St. Bernard rescue dog with a first aid kit around his center

Character Comparison
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