取款
qǔ kuǎn · HSK 6
to withdraw money from a bank
🏧💵 qu-KWAN: you QUEUE at the counter to collect your QUANTITY of cash
qu sounds like queue — you stand in line at the bank. kuan sounds like quantity — the amount you withdraw. Together: queue up for your quantity of money.
取 — ear 耳 + hand 又
取 originally depicted a hand (又) grasping an ear (耳), referencing the ancient practice of soldiers cutting off enemies' left ears as proof of kills to claim rewards. The meaning broadened from 'seize/take by force' to the general sense of 'take, get, obtain' used today.