顺利
shùnlì · HSK 2
successful
🛶 顺 = follow/along + 利 = sharp/advantage; going along the grain = smooth sailing
顺 means to follow or go with the flow; 利 originally showed a blade cutting grain cleanly, hence sharp or favorable. Together they describe things moving along without snags — smooth, successful, hitch-free.
顺 — 川 (river) + 页 (head/face)
顺 combines 川 (flowing river) with 页 (head), originally depicting a head turned to follow the flow of water. The image of going along with the current gave rise to meanings like 'to follow,' 'smooth,' and 'in order.' It remains tied to ideas of compliance and natural sequence.
利 — grain 禾 + knife 刂
Originally a pictograph showing a knife (刂) cutting grain (禾), depicting harvest. From the idea of a sharp blade reaping crops, it extended to mean 'sharp,' then 'benefit,' 'profit,' or 'advantage' — the gain that comes from a successful harvest.