企业
qǐyè · HSK 4
business enterprise
🏢 企 = person 人 standing on tiptoe 止 + 业 = trade/industry
企 originally showed a person craning up to look ahead — now means 'to plan/undertake'. 业 means trade or line of work. Together: an undertaking in trade, i.e. a business enterprise.
业 — top 业 (originally a notched board)
Originally a pictograph of a notched wooden board hung in ancient classrooms or temples to support bells and chimes. The notches inspired meanings of 'work' and 'profession,' as such boards were tools of trade and study. Today it means business, occupation, or undertaking.