蒙在鼓里 (méng zài gǔ lǐ) — to be kept in the dark; to be completely unaware of what is really happening

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

蒙 combines 艹 (grass) with 冡, which supplies the sound.

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

The early form of 在 used 才 for its sound; a second sound part 士 was added later, and that 士 became the 土 seen in 在.

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

鼓 combines 壴, a drum, with 支, a hand holding a drumstick, so the character pictures a drum being struck.

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 裡; 里 is its simplified writing.

The simplified 里 stands for more than one traditional character. In most words (里, 里面) it is 裡; in others (公里) it is 里 or 裏.

The form 裡 pairs 衤 (clothes) with 里 as a sound component.