充
chōng · HSK 7
to fill
🫙 chōng sounds like CHUNK — a chunk fills the gap
Top is 亠 (lid) over 允 (permit/allow). A lid seals a container once you permit it to be filled. chōng = to fill up, to satisfy, to act as a stand-in that fills a role.
充 — 育 (raise/grow) on top of 儿 (legs/person)
Originally depicted a person walking forward, suggesting movement and advancement. The form combines a growth element above with a person below, evoking the sense of being filled up or made full as one grows. Over time, the meaning shifted from 'go forward' to 'fill, fulfill, abundant'.