大人
dàrén · HSK 2
adult
🧑 大 (big) + 人 (person) = big person = adult
Literal compound: 大 means big/large and 人 means person, so a 'big person' is a grownup. The same two-character pattern also serves as a respectful address for a senior or official (milord).
大 — pictograph of a person with arms outstretched
大 is a pictograph showing a person standing with arms and legs spread wide. The outstretched arms suggest 'big' or 'great', extending from the literal image of a large stance to abstract meanings like important or grand. It is one of the oldest characters, found on oracle bones.
人 — pictograph of a standing person
人 is a pictograph showing a person viewed from the side, with two strokes representing the legs and torso of a standing human. In oracle bone script it clearly depicted a figure leaning slightly forward. The meaning has remained 'person' or 'human' throughout its history.