沓 (dá) — (bound form) numerous, repeated, crowded

Definition

沓 is a bound form meaning 'crowded, coming in waves' — it almost always appears in the set phrase 纷至沓来 ('coming in throngs').

bound form

numerousrepeatedcrowded

Easily confused

，。
Yóu kè fēn zhì dá lái, jǐng qū shí fēn rè nao.
Tourists came in throngs, making the scenic area very lively.
，。
Kùn nan fēn zhì dá lái, dàn tā cóng wèi tuì suō.
Difficulties came one after another, but he never backed down.
。
Dà tīng lǐ xiǎng qǐ le fēn zhì dá lái de jiǎo bù shēng.
The sound of footsteps coming in throngs echoed in the hall.

Compound ideograph

六书liùshū

会意huìyì

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The form 沓 is built from a picture of water and a picture of something being said.