报复
bào fù · HSK 7
revenge
⚔️ 报 report + 复 repeat = report it back, i.e. pay them back
报 means to report or announce, 复 means to repeat or return. Together they form the idea of returning what was done to you — retaliation. Think: I will report this back to you in kind.
报 — hand 扌 (报) + 卩 seal/kneeling figure
Originally 報 depicted a hand pressing a kneeling criminal under a manacle (幸 + 卩 + 又), meaning 'to judge' or 'requite a crime.' From 'repay/requite' it broadened to 'respond, report, announce.' The simplified form 报 keeps the hand 扌 and 卩 but drops the manacle element.