圆满
yuánmǎn · HSK 4
satisfactory
🌕 圆满 = 圆 round + 满 full; round-and-full = perfectly complete
圆 means round/circle and 满 means full or filled. Together they describe something that has come full circle and is filled to the brim — a satisfactory, complete outcome with nothing missing.
圆 — enclosure 囗 + 員 (phonetic)
圆 is a phono-semantic compound. The outer 囗 (enclosure) suggests a round, closed shape, while 員 provides the sound and originally depicted a round-mouthed tripod vessel. Together they came to mean 'round' or 'circle,' later extending to 'complete' and the unit of currency.
满 — water 氵 + 㒼 (phonetic)
满 is a phono-semantic compound. The water radical 氵 gives the meaning, originally referring to a vessel filled to the brim with water, while 㒼 supplies the sound. From 'full of water' the sense broadened to 'full, filled, complete,' and later 'satisfied' or 'entirely.'