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ōu
gull
区 + 鸟
region + bird
Character Notes

gulls live in the region by the sea

Character Comparison
Series

tǒng
bucket
木 + 甬yǒng
wood + hunter
Character Notes

hunter’s wooden bucket

Character Comparison

liú
Liu
文 + 刂
gentleman farmer + sword
Character Notes

Liu is a noble family that defended itself with the sword.

Character Comparison

yáng
*wool
sheep modified
Character Notes
Character Comparison
Series

méi
small plum
木 + 每měi
tree + every
Character Notes

Chinese find a way to enjoy the fruit of every tree, even the sour ones (just salt them)

Character Comparison

shǔ
*grain tarp
禾 + 𠆢 + 氺
grain + umbrella + snowflake
Character Notes

grain is protected by an umbrella tarp from snow getting inside

Character Comparison
Series

tóu
*top hat
Character Notes

alternatively: *Mandarin hat (see 衣yī clothing)

as a component: “点横头”

Character Comparison

shěn
painstaking
宀 + 申shēn
house + beet
Character Notes

Picture someone painstaking with her beets, growing them inside the house.

Character Comparison

jiā
add
力 + 口
muscle + mouth
Character Notes

Add muscle to what your mouth says (do the thing you say).

You add muscle to the story (exaggerate) with your mouth.

Character Comparison

yǒng
*hunter
龴 + 用yòng
spear head + Little Red Riding Hood
Character Notes

the hunter from Little Red Riding Hood

Character Comparison

tiān
heavens
一 + 大
ceiling + large
Character Notes

large person grows and grows until his head reaches the ceiling and then the heavens

Character Comparison

he
亻 + 也
persona + also/scorpion
Character Notes

Picture your persona: he is also covered with scorpions.

Character Comparison

hóng
magnificent
宀 + 厷gōng
house + George Washington
Character Notes

George Washington’s house, Mount Vernon, is magnificent itself, but even more magnificent is the fact that Washington yielded power after two terms and retired to his house and farm.

Character Comparison

surprised
讠 + 牙yá
microphone + tooth
Character Notes

You are startled out of your daydream, surprised to hear your name over the loud speaker at the dental office.

Character Comparison

zhèng
Zheng
关 + 阝
shut + city walls
Character Notes

It's serious: Mr. Zheng has been shut out from the city.

Character Comparison

doze
目 + 去 + 皿
eye + go + dish
Character Notes

When you doze at dinner, your eyes (and face) go kerplop into your dish.

Character Comparison
Series

xiù
sleeve
衤 + 由yóu
clothing + sprout
Character Notes

These sleeves sprout from the clothing.

Character Comparison

huò
or
口 + 一 + 戈
mouth + floor + rifle
Character Notes

“Put your mouth on the floor or I’ll shoot my rifle!”

Character Comparison
咸xián salty

dīng
nail
钅 + 丁dīng
metal + nail
Character Notes

Picture a metal nail.

Character Comparison
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