支配
zhīpèi · HSK 5
control
支 = branch/support + 配 = distribute/match — branching out allocations
支 originally showed a hand holding a branch, extended to 'support' and 'allocate'. 配 pairs 酉 (wine jar) with 己, meaning to match or distribute. Together: arrange and control how things are allotted.
支 — hand 又 holding a branch 十
Originally a pictograph showing a hand (又) holding a branch broken from a tree, depicting the act of supporting or propping something up. From this came meanings like 'branch,' 'to support,' and 'to pay out.' It also serves as a phonetic component in characters like 枝 (branch) and 技 (skill).
配 — wine vessel 酉 + self 己
Originally depicted a person 己 beside a wine jar 酉, suggesting matching or distributing wine at ceremonies. From this came the meaning 'to pair, match, distribute,' and later 'to deserve' or 'to mix/compound.' The 酉 component gives the wine-related semantic root, while 己 contributes phonetically.