接通
jiē tōng · HSK 7
to connect
📞 接 (connect) + 通 (through) = connect it through, like putting a phone call through
接通 pairs 接 join/receive with 通 pass-through. Both halves push the same idea: a line that was open is now joined end to end, so the signal gets through. Common for phone calls finally going through.
接 — hand 扌 + concubine 妾 (phonetic)
接 is a semantic-phonetic compound. The hand radical 扌 carries the meaning of receiving or joining with the hand, while 妾 supplies the sound. From 'taking with the hand' it broadened to 'receive, meet, connect, join together'.
通 — 辵 (辶) walk + 甬 yǒng (phonetic)
通 is a semantic-phonetic compound. The 辶 (chuò) component means 'walk' or 'movement', giving the meaning of going through or passing. 甬 (yǒng), originally depicting a hanging bell or a path, supplies the sound. Together they convey 'to pass through, communicate, connect'.