登录
dēng lù · HSK 4
to log in
🔐 登 = ascend/mount + 录 = record; you mount the record to log in
登 means to ascend or enter (as in 登机 board a plane), and 录 means record or register. Together: enter yourself into the record — register or log in to an account.
登 — 癶 (two feet ascending) + 豆 (ritual vessel)
Originally a pictograph showing two feet (癶) climbing up to present a ritual vessel (豆) on a raised platform. The core meaning was 'to ascend' or 'mount,' as when stepping up to make an offering. From this it broadened to 'rise, climb, record, publish.'
录 — 彐 (hand) + 氺 (water/threads)
Originally depicted a hand carving or inscribing characters, with the lower element suggesting shavings or marks. The early meaning was 'to carve' or 'to engrave', which extended to 'to record' or 'to write down'. Today it primarily means 'to record' or 'copy'.