常
cháng · HSK 1
often
📅 常 = 尚 (shàng, still/yet) + 巾 (cloth) — everyday cloth, worn often
The 巾 radical (cloth) under 尚 once meant a long banner or skirt — something habitually worn. From 'regular garment' the sense broadened to 'regular, usual, frequent'. Shares phonetic 尚 with cháng.
常 — 巾 (cloth) + 尚 (phonetic, 'esteem')
Originally written 裳, 常 was a phono-semantic compound: 巾 ('cloth') gave the meaning and 尚 supplied the sound, referring to a long lower garment or skirt. Over time the meaning shifted from 'everyday garment' to 'ordinary, regular, constant', while 裳 took over the original clothing sense.