坦克
tǎn kè · HSK 7
tank
🪖 Phonetic loanword: tǎn-kè just echoes the English word tank
克 — top 十 + brother 兄 (helmeted figure)
Originally a pictograph of a person bearing a heavy helmet or burden on the head, suggesting the strength needed to carry or subdue a load. From 'to bear a weight' it extended to 'overcome, conquer, subdue,' and later 'to be able to.' The modern shape blends 十 above 兄.