报酬
bàochóu · HSK 7
reward
💰 报 (report/repay) + 酬 (toast/reward) = repayment for service
报 means to repay or reciprocate, 酬 originally meant raising a toast in return. Together they form the idea of compensating someone — giving back what is owed for their work or effort.
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.