聘
pìn · HSK 7
to employ; to appoint; (bound form) to betroth
🤝 pìn sounds like pin: a firm pins down the talent it wants to engage and hire
Left side is 耳 (ear); the word began as calling on or inquiring after someone, then shifted to formally inviting or engaging a person for service.
聘 — ear 耳 + 甹 (phonetic)
聘 is a phono-semantic compound. The ear radical 耳 hints at meaning related to listening or formal communication, while 甹 supplies the sound. Originally it referred to a ceremonial visit or formal inquiry between states, later extending to engaging or hiring someone.