预算
yūsuàn · HSK 7
budget
🧮💰 预 (in advance) + 算 (calculate) = calculate beforehand = a budget
预 means beforehand or in advance; 算 means to calculate or reckon. Together: working out the numbers ahead of time, which is exactly what an estimate or budget is.
算 — bamboo 竹 + abacus 具 (eye 目 + two hands 廾)
Originally depicted counting with bamboo rods on an abacus-like device. The top 竹 (bamboo) refers to the bamboo counting sticks used in ancient Chinese arithmetic, while the bottom shows hands manipulating them. The meaning broadened from 'to count' to 'to calculate' or 'to plan'.