长处
cháng chù · HSK 3
strong points
💪 长处 = long + place; the spots where you go long, i.e. strengths
长 (cháng) means long; 处 (chù) means place or point. Together: the places where you measure long, i.e. your strong points or merits. Contrast with 短处 (duǎn chù) short + place = weaknesses.
长 — pictograph of long-haired person with cane
Originally a pictograph showing a person with long, flowing hair leaning on a cane, representing an elder. The meaning extended from 'long hair' to 'long' in general, and also to 'elder' or 'to grow' (read zhǎng). The modern form 长 is a simplification of the traditional 長.
处 — 夂 (foot) + 几 (low table/stool)
Originally depicted a person stopping (夂, an inverted foot) beside a stool (几), suggesting someone settling down in a place. From 'to dwell/stay' the meaning broadened to 'place, location' (chù) and 'to handle, deal with' (chǔ). The simplified form drops the older 虍 top found in 處.