品尝
pǐn cháng · HSK 7
to sample
👅 品 = three 口 mouths sampling + 尝 to taste = take a small taste
品 stacks three 口 (mouth) glyphs, the sign for sampling and judging quality by mouth; 尝 means to taste. Together they mean to taste a little to evaluate it, like a food sample.
品 — three 口 (mouth) stacked
品 is an ideogram showing three 口 (mouths or openings) piled together. The repetition of 口 suggests many people, items, or voices, which gave rise to meanings like 'kinds,' 'goods,' 'rank,' and 'to taste/judge.' The triple stacking is a common Chinese device for indicating plurality or variety.
尝 — small 小 (top) + roof-like cover 冖 + 云 + 旨 (taste/flavor)
Originally written 嘗, depicting tasting food with the tongue (旨 means 'flavor/taste'). The character meant 'to taste' literally, then extended to 'to try/experience' and 'once' (as in 'have ever tried'). The simplified form 尝 keeps the 旨 component carrying the core meaning.