单纯
dānchún · HSK 4
simple
单 = single + 纯 = pure → single-minded, pure, simple
单 means single/sole and 纯 means pure/unmixed. Together: unmixed and single in nature — i.e. simple, plain, or artless. Often describes an innocent or uncomplicated personality.
单 — 叩 (two mouths 口) over 甲 (shield/armor)
Originally a pictograph of a forked hunting weapon or shield with two prongs at the top. The ancient form shows a Y-shaped tool, later stylized into the modern shape. The meaning shifted from the weapon to 'single' or 'one,' possibly because it was a single-handed tool.
纯 — silk radical 糹+ 屯 (phonetic)
纯 is a semantic-phonetic compound: the silk radical 糹 gives the meaning (pure, unmixed silk thread) and 屯 supplies the sound. It originally described unbleached, undyed silk, then broadened to mean 'pure,' 'unmixed,' or 'simple' in a moral or qualitative sense.