TSUMUGU · TOCFL 2 (est.) · 字
根
根 ＝ 木 ＋ 艮
ㄍㄣ · gēn
noun — root; basis
字源 FORM — what the parts do
艮聲gèn — gives the sound
Tgèn → gēn — only the tone bends
Wood (木) names the tree; 艮 gèn carries the sound, the tone settling to gēn. The root under the trunk — and from it, whatever a thing stands on: 根本、根據.
故事 STORY — a scene to remember it by
大風吹，樹（木）搖——土底下的根抓得緊緊的。
The wind rocks the tree (木); under the soil the roots hold tight.
字源記憶法
意 · Meanings
(本義)樹根— the root of a tree常用
→根本、根據— the base; grounds — what a thing stands on常用
→一根（量詞）— measure word for long, thin things
(本義) original meaning · → ⇒ each arrow = one more step of extension