碍事
ài shì · HSK 7
to be in the way
🚧 ài shì = obstacle + affair — something that gets in the way of things
碍 means to hinder or obstruct, 事 means matter or affair. Together they describe something that blocks progress or gets in the way. Often used negatively: 不碍事 means it doesnt matter or its no big deal.
事 — hand 又 holding a banner/tablet on a pole
Originally a pictograph of a hand (又) grasping a pole or ceremonial banner used by an official, depicting the act of conducting court business. From this it came to mean 'affair, matter, business, service.' It shares an ancient origin with 史 (scribe) and 吏 (official).