可怜
kělián · HSK 5
abject
😢 可 (can/worth) + 怜 (pity) = worth pitying
可 means 'worth/can-be' and 怜 means 'pity/sympathy', so the compound literally reads 'worth-pitying' — pitiable, pathetic, or deserving of sympathy. Same 可 as in 可爱 (worth-loving = cute).
可 — mouth 口 + breath marker 丁 (modified)
可 originally depicted a mouth (口) with a curved stroke suggesting exhaled breath or speech, conveying approval or assent. From this came the meaning 'to permit' or 'can,' as granting permission was expressed verbally. Today it broadly means 'may,' 'can,' or 'approve.'