父子
fùzǐ · HSK 6
father and son
👨👦 父 = father + 子 = child/son
父子 literally stacks the characters for father (父) and son/child (子). The compound names the pair: father and son together, often used for the family relationship or a duo.
子 — pictograph of a baby/child with arms out
子 began as a pictograph of a swaddled infant with a large head and outstretched arms, originally meaning 'baby' or 'child.' From there it broadened to 'son,' 'offspring,' and a respectful suffix for masters like 孔子 (Confucius). It also became one of the twelve earthly branches.