高压
gāoyā · HSK 7
high pressure
⚡ 高压 = 高 (high) + 压 (press); high-press → high pressure/voltage
Literal compound: 高 high + 压 press/squeeze. Extends from physical pressure (steam, voltage) to social pressure — coercion or tyranny is high-press rule. Same 压 as in 压力 (pressure).
高 — pictograph of a tall building/tower
高 is a pictograph of a tall structure, likely a watchtower or multi-story gate, with a roof on top, an upper chamber, and a base below. From this concrete image of height it extended to the general meanings 'tall,' 'high,' and figuratively 'lofty' or 'noble.'
压 — 厂 (cliff) + 土 (earth) below
压 is the simplified form of 壓. The original character combined 厭 (phonetic, suggesting 'yā') with 土 (earth) to mean pressing or weighing down on the ground. The modern simplified form keeps 厂 (a cliff or overhang) above 土, visually evoking earth being pressed under a heavy mass.