顺手
shùn shoǔ · HSK 7
while one is at it
🤚 顺手 = smooth (顺) + hand (手): a smooth hand does the job easily, in passing
顺 means smooth or going-along-with; 手 is hand. A smooth-running hand finishes a task without trouble, often while already doing something else, so 顺手 means easily or while one is at it.
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.
手 — pictograph of a hand with five fingers
手 is a pictograph showing an open hand with fingers and a wrist. Early bronze and oracle bone forms clearly depict five splayed fingers, which simplified over time into the modern shape. It keeps its original meaning of 'hand' and also serves as a radical in many characters related to hand actions.