同
tóng · HSK 6
same
🪞 A mouth 口 boxed inside 冂 — one voice, all the same
The enclosure 冂 wraps around 一 and 口 (mouth). One mouth under one roof means everyone speaks as one — unanimous, identical, tóng.
同 — 冂 enclosure + 一 + 口 mouth
Originally depicted multiple mouths gathered under one cover or enclosure, suggesting people speaking together in agreement. From this image of voices joining, it came to mean 'same,' 'together,' or 'alike.' The shared cover symbolizes unity.