会意
huì yì · HSK 7
to comprehend without being told explicitly
💡 会意 = combine meanings: 会 (combine) + 意 (idea) → meaning made from joined parts
One of the 六書 character-formation methods: two element meanings join to suggest a new sense, like 日 sun + 月 moon = 明 bright. The same word also means to grasp something without being told outright.
会 — 人 person on top + 云 cloud/say below (simplified from 會)
The traditional form 會 showed a lid over a vessel with contents stacked inside, depicting things coming together — hence 'meet, gather, assemble.' From 'gathering' it extended to 'meeting,' then 'understand' (minds meeting) and 'be able to.' The simplified 会 keeps only a schematic top and bottom.