样本
yàng běn · HSK 7
sample
🧪 样 (pattern) + 本 (copy) = a pattern-copy taken to represent the whole = a sample
样 means pattern or model; 本 means a copy, edition, or root. A 样本 is the copy that shows the pattern — the representative bit a lab or survey pulls out as its specimen.
样 — wood radical 木 + sheep 羊
样 is a phono-semantic compound. The wood radical 木 originally hinted at meaning (a wooden model or sample), while 羊 (sheep) supplies the sound. From 'wooden pattern/template' it broadened to mean 'shape, form, kind, manner'.
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.