孝顺
xiàoshùn · HSK 7
filial
👵👴 孝 filial-devotion + 顺 obey = treat your parents well and follow their wishes
孝 is the duty a child owes parents; 顺 means to go along with or comply. Together 孝顺 is the active practice of honoring parents and deferring to them.
顺 — 川 (river) + 页 (head/face)
顺 combines 川 (flowing river) with 页 (head), originally depicting a head turned to follow the flow of water. The image of going along with the current gave rise to meanings like 'to follow,' 'smooth,' and 'in order.' It remains tied to ideas of compliance and natural sequence.