交叉
jiāochā · HSK 7
intercross
✖️ 交 cross/exchange + 叉 fork = intersecting forks, things crossing over each other
交 carries the sense of crossing or exchanging, and 叉 is a fork or X-shape. Together 交叉 means to intersect, criss-cross, or alternate, like two lines or schedules staggered across each other.
交 — top 亠 + 父-like crossed legs
Originally a pictograph of a person standing with legs crossed, showing the idea of crossing or intersecting. From this concrete image, the meaning extended to abstract senses like 'exchange,' 'interact,' and 'hand over.' Modern uses such as 交流 (exchange) and 交通 (traffic) all trace back to this core notion of crossing.
叉 — hand 又 + crossing stroke 丶
Originally a pictograph of a hand (又) with an added stroke showing fingers crossed or something held between them. The character depicts the action of crossing or forking, which gave rise to meanings like 'fork,' 'cross,' and 'intersect.' The reading chā is most common for the noun 'fork.'