TSUMUGU · A2 (est.) · 字
困
困 ＝ 囗 ＋ 木
ㄎㄨㄣˋ · kùn
adj/verb — stuck, hard-pressed; sleepy; to trap
字源 FORM — what the parts do
囗義a wall closing all four sides
A tree (木) walled in on every side (囗) — it can't grow, can't get out. From the boxed-in tree: 困難 hard going, 困境 a tight spot, 被困 trapped. The same penned-in feeling carries to the body worn out, 睏 / 困 — too tired to move, sleepy.
故事 STORY — a scene to remember it by
一棵樹（木）長在四面牆（囗）裡，枝椏頂著牆，再也伸不開。
A tree (木) grows inside four walls (囗), its branches pressing the stone, with nowhere left to reach.
字源記憶法
意 · Meanings
(本義)困住、被困— to trap; to be stuck常用
→困難、困境— difficulty; a tight spot常用
⇒睏、想睡— sleepy; worn out — penned in by tiredness常用
(本義) original meaning · → ⇒ each arrow = one more step of extension