简称
jiǎnchēng · HSK 7
be called sth. for short
简 brief + 称 to call = the brief way to call something, its short name
简 means brief or simplified (as in 简单, simple); 称 means to call or name (as in 称呼). Together: the shortened name you call something by. 北京大学 simplified-called as 北大 is its 简称.
称 — grain 禾 + 尔 (phonetic)
称 is a semantic-phonetic compound: the grain radical 禾 on the left points to weighing grain on a balance, while 尔 hints at the sound. It originally meant 'to weigh' on a steelyard, then extended to 'to state the weight of,' and finally to general senses like 'to call,' 'to name,' or 'title.'