压
yā · HSK 3
weight down
🪨 压 = 厂 (cliff/shelter) + 土 (earth) — earth pressed under a cliff
The radical 厂 depicts an overhanging cliff or shelter; below it sits 土 (earth). Together they convey heavy mass bearing down on the ground, hence 'press, weight down, compact'. Pronounced yā.
压 — 厂 (cliff) + 土 (earth) below
压 is the simplified form of 壓. The original character combined 厭 (phonetic, suggesting 'yā') with 土 (earth) to mean pressing or weighing down on the ground. The modern simplified form keeps 厂 (a cliff or overhang) above 土, visually evoking earth being pressed under a heavy mass.