录取
lùqǔ · HSK 4
to accept an applicant (prospective student, employee etc) who passes an entrance exam; to admit (a student)
📜✅ 录 = record + 取 = take; record-and-take a student onto the rolls
录 means to record or register; 取 means to take or select. Together: officially record-and-take someone, i.e. admit or enroll. Common for university admission and recruitment decisions.
录 — 彐 (hand) + 氺 (water/threads)
Originally depicted a hand carving or inscribing characters, with the lower element suggesting shavings or marks. The early meaning was 'to carve' or 'to engrave', which extended to 'to record' or 'to write down'. Today it primarily means 'to record' or 'copy'.
取 — ear 耳 + hand 又
取 originally depicted a hand (又) grasping an ear (耳), referencing the ancient practice of soldiers cutting off enemies' left ears as proof of kills to claim rewards. The meaning broadened from 'seize/take by force' to the general sense of 'take, get, obtain' used today.