TSUMUGU · A2 (est.) · 字
限
限 ＝ 阝 ＋ 艮
ㄒㄧㄢˋ · xiàn
noun/verb — a limit; to restrict
字源 FORM — what the parts do
阝義a mound, a barrierthe left 阝 is 阜, a bank of earth
艮聲gèn — gives the soundthe 艮 series: 根 gēn, 跟 gēn, 狠 hěn
ITgèn → xiàn — initial and tone shift
A bank of earth (阝) you cannot cross — the boundary. 艮 gèn carries the sound, hardened over centuries into xiàn. The mound that stops you becomes every limit: 限制, 期限.
故事 STORY — a scene to remember it by
土埂（阝）擋在前面，艮（艮）說「到此為止」——過不去了。
An earthen bank (阝) blocks the way, 艮 saying "this far" — and no farther.
字源記憶法
意 · Meanings
(本義)界限— a boundary, a limit常用
→限制— to restrict; to set a limit常用
⇒期限— a deadline — a limit set in time
(本義) original meaning · → ⇒ each arrow = one more step of extension
關 · Related
艮gènthe sound half — bare 艮 sits alone; 限 banks earth () against it根＝ 木 ＋ gēnthe partner — same sound donor, the root that holds wood (木)