出
chū · HSK 1
happen
🌱 Pictograph: a sprout pushing up out of the ground — to come out
出 originally depicted a plant or foot emerging from an enclosure, hence 'come out, produce, exit'. The top half resembles 屮 (sprout) rising above a base. Common in 出口 (exit) and 出来 (come out).
出 — foot 止 emerging from enclosure 凵
出 is a pictograph showing a foot or plant stepping out of a hollow or enclosure, depicting the act of going forth. The original sense of 'coming out' or 'emerging' has remained stable since oracle bone script. It now broadly means 'to exit, go out, or produce.'