着重
zhuózhòng · HSK 7
to put emphasis on; to stress
⚖️ 着重 = apply (着) + heavy/weight (重): put weight on something = emphasize it
着 means to apply or attach, 重 means heavy or weight. Together they mean to lay weight on a point, hence to stress or emphasize it. Note 重 is read zhòng (heavy), not chóng (repeat).
着 — sheep 羊 (top) + eye 目 (bottom)
着 originated as a variant of 著, which depicted plants emerging visibly above ground (grass radical 艹 over 者). Over time 着 split off to carry meanings like 'attach,' 'wear,' or a verb suffix marking ongoing action (zhe), while 著 kept senses like 'manifest' or 'author.'
重 — person 人 + east 東 (phonetic)
Originally depicted a person carrying a heavy bundle on their back, suggesting weight and burden. The 東-like element served as a phonetic component. Over time the character split into two readings: zhòng meaning 'heavy' and chóng meaning 'repeat/again'.