亏本
kuī běn · HSK 7
to make a loss
📉💸 亏 (deficit) + 本 (capital) = your capital runs a deficit, so you make a loss
亏 — top stroke 一 + 丂 (hooked breath)
亏 is the simplified form of 虧. Originally 丂 depicted breath or air being exhaled with difficulty, suggesting something lacking or deficient. Over time it came to mean 'lose,' 'deficit,' or 'owe,' as in being short of what is needed.
本 — tree 木 + mark at base
本 is a pictograph of a tree (木) with a stroke at its base, marking the roots. From this 'root' meaning it extended to 'origin,' 'source,' and 'foundation.' In modern usage it also serves as a measure word for bound objects like books.