自然资源 (zì rán zī yuán) — natural resources

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

假借jiǎjièLater borrowed for its sound alone — the picture has nothing to do with today’s meaning.

自 originally drew a nose. It was borrowed purely for its sound to write 自, so the picture and the meaning are unrelated.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

然 is made from 肰, which gives the sound, and 火, which shows fire, matching the old sense 'to burn'.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 資; 资 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 資 puts 次 above 貝, a shell-money sign, to write property or resource; 次 supplies the sound. The simplified 资 is a shorthand, so do not treat its parts as historical.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

源 combines 水 (water) and 原 (origin): 水 points to water, and 原 gives the sound.