本领
běn lǐng · HSK 3
skill
💪 本 = root/origin + 领 = collar/lead → core ability you lead with
本 originally shows a tree with a mark at its root (origin, base). 领 means collar or to lead. Together: the root skill you lead with — your core competence or know-how.
本 — tree 木 + mark at base
本 is a pictograph of a tree (木) with a stroke at its base, marking the roots. From this 'root' meaning it extended to 'origin,' 'source,' and 'foundation.' In modern usage it also serves as a measure word for bound objects like books.
领 — 令 (command, phonetic) + 页 (head)
A semantic-phonetic compound. 页 (head/page) gives the meaning, originally referring to the neck or collar — the part connecting the head to the body. 令 supplies the sound. From 'neck/collar' it extended to 'lead, guide, receive,' since the neck leads the body.