名单
míngdān · HSK 2
list
📋 名单 = 名 (name) + 单 (single sheet) — a sheet of names
名 means name and 单 means a single sheet or form (same 单 as in 菜单 menu and 账单 bill). Together: a sheet listing names, i.e. a roster or checklist.
名 — evening 夕 + mouth 口
A compound ideograph: in the dark of evening (夕), one cannot recognize others by sight, so the mouth (口) calls out a name to identify oneself. The original sense of 'name' broadened to include reputation, fame, and a measure word for people.
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.