• 自(nose (pictographic) → self; body)

Ancient people pointed to their nose when saying "I," so the character for nose also means self.

• 弓(bow; archer)
• 癶(two legs step out)
• 又(right hand)

A hand drawing a bow with two legs stepping forward is the action of 'shooting' an arrow.

• 又(right hand)
• 寸(small unit of measurement; inch)

Measuring carefully face-to-face with your hands inch by inch.

• 禾(rice plant; grain stalk)
• 尔(you)

A rice plant being weighed and measured gives it a name, thus meaning "to address" or "to call by name."

• 石(stone; rock)
• 皮(skin; shed)

Breaking something open is like using a stone to smash away the entire outer shell.

• 缶(jar; pot)
• 夬(decide; separate)

A vase that cracks and breaks apart becomes defective and missing a part.

• 自(nose (pictographic) → self; body)

Ancient people pointed to their nose when saying "I," so the character for nose also means self.

• 弓(bow; archer)
• 癶(two legs step out)
• 又(right hand)

A hand drawing a bow with two legs stepping forward is the action of 'shooting' an arrow.

• 又(right hand)
• 寸(small unit of measurement; inch)

Measuring carefully face-to-face with your hands inch by inch.

• 禾(rice plant; grain stalk)
• 尔(you)

A rice plant being weighed and measured gives it a name, thus meaning "to address" or "to call by name."

• 石(stone; rock)
• 皮(skin; shed)

Breaking something open is like using a stone to smash away the entire outer shell.

• 缶(jar; pot)
• 夬(decide; separate)

A vase that cracks and breaks apart becomes defective and missing a part.