奖励
jiǎnglì · HSK 5
to reward; reward (as encouragement)
🏆 奖励 = 奖 (prize) + 励 (encourage)
奖 means prize or award; 励 means to encourage or urge on. Together 奖励 names a reward given to encourage good behavior or achievement — both the trophy and the pat on the back.
奖 — 将 jiāng (phonetic) + 大 (big)
Originally written 獎 with 犬 (dog) below 將, suggesting urging a dog onward—hence 'encourage, exhort.' The simplified form replaces 犬 with 大. Meaning extended from 'encourage' to 'reward' and then to 'prize, award.'