• 囗(surround; fence)
• 木(tree; wood)

A tree surrounded and trapped on all four sides with no way to escape represents hardship.

• 又(hand; again)
• 隹(short-tailed bird)

Catching a short-tailed bird in flight with bare hands is as difficult as the challenge this character represents.

• 才(talent; ability (for sound))
• 土(earth; soil; land)

To exist is to cling tightly to the patch of earth beneath your feet.

• 于(at; in (pictographic — curved stroke representing breath escaping))

Breath curves and escapes from a person, meaning 'at' or 'in' a place.

• 囗(surround; fence)
• 木(tree; wood)

A tree surrounded and trapped on all four sides with no way to escape represents hardship.

• 又(hand; again)
• 隹(short-tailed bird)

Catching a short-tailed bird in flight with bare hands is as difficult as the challenge this character represents.

• 才(talent; ability (for sound))
• 土(earth; soil; land)

To exist is to cling tightly to the patch of earth beneath your feet.

• 于(at; in (pictographic — curved stroke representing breath escaping))

Breath curves and escapes from a person, meaning 'at' or 'in' a place.