路子
lù zi · HSK 7
way
🛣️ 路子 = 路 road/way + 子 noun suffix; a road is your way or method
路 means road or way and 子 is a common noun suffix (as in 桌子, 椅子). A road is literally the way you get somewhere, so 路子 extends to the way or approach you take to do something. Pronounced lù zi.
路 — foot 足 + each 各 (phonetic)
路 is a semantic-phonetic compound. The foot radical 足 on the left signals meaning related to walking or travel, while 各 on the right hints at the ancient pronunciation. Originally referring to a road traveled on foot, it broadened to mean 'road, path, route' in general.
子 — pictograph of a baby/child with arms out
子 began as a pictograph of a swaddled infant with a large head and outstretched arms, originally meaning 'baby' or 'child.' From there it broadened to 'son,' 'offspring,' and a respectful suffix for masters like 孔子 (Confucius). It also became one of the twelve earthly branches.