班
bān · HSK 1
class
👥 班 = 玨 (two jades) split by 刂 (knife) — dividing into groups/classes
Original sense: separate a pair of jade discs with a blade, hence 'divide into groups.' From there: class, team, shift, and the measure word for scheduled events like flights or performances.
班 — two jade 玨 + knife 刂 in the middle
班 originally depicted a knife (刂) dividing a pair of jade pieces (玨), showing the act of splitting jade between people. From this 'dividing' sense it came to mean 'distribute,' then 'a group formed by division,' giving modern meanings like class, team, or shift.