处
chù · HSK 4
to be in
📍 chù = a place or location; measure word for spots/points
处 means place/location and serves as a general measure word for spots, points, or locations (e.g. 三处 = three spots). The character originally depicted someone settling down at a place to rest.
处 — 夂 (foot) + 几 (low table/stool)
Originally depicted a person stopping (夂, an inverted foot) beside a stool (几), suggesting someone settling down in a place. From 'to dwell/stay' the meaning broadened to 'place, location' (chù) and 'to handle, deal with' (chǔ). The simplified form drops the older 虍 top found in 處.