法庭
fǎtíng · HSK 6
court
⚖️🏛️ 法 = law + 庭 = hall/courtyard → law-hall = courtroom
法 means law or method; 庭 originally referred to the courtyard of a palace or hall where officials gathered. Together they name the formal hall where law is administered — a court.
法 — water 氵 + go 去
Originally written 灋, combining the water radical 氵 (suggesting a level standard, like water finding its level), the mythical beast 廌 (which judged guilt), and 去 (to remove or banish). The 廌 was later dropped, leaving 法. The core meaning evolved from 'law' or 'standard' to also include 'method' and 'way of doing'.