加工
jiāgōng · HSK 3
process
🏭 加 (add) + 工 (work) = add work to raw material → process
加 means add or increase; 工 means work or labor. Together they describe adding work or labor to something — i.e. processing raw materials into a finished product. Common in factory and manufacturing contexts.
加 — force 力 + mouth 口
加 is traditionally analyzed as a compound of 力 (strength) and 口 (mouth), suggesting boasting or exaggerating one's effort with words. From this it extended to the meaning 'to add' or 'increase'. Today it is used broadly for addition, both literal and figurative.