行业
hángyè · HSK 4
profession
💼 行 = profession/trade + 业 = business/industry
行 (háng) here means a trade or line of work (not 'go'); 业 (yè) means industry or business. Together: a professional field or industry. Same 行 appears in 银行 (bank = silver trade).
行 — crossroads pictograph (left 彳 + right 亍)
行 originally pictured a four-way crossroads in oracle bone script, with two paths meeting. From 'road' it extended to 'walk, go, travel,' and then to 'a row, line' or 'business firm' (read háng). The two halves 彳 and 亍 are the split sides of that ancient crossroads.
业 — top 业 (originally a notched board)
Originally a pictograph of a notched wooden board hung in ancient classrooms or temples to support bells and chimes. The notches inspired meanings of 'work' and 'profession,' as such boards were tools of trade and study. Today it means business, occupation, or undertaking.