制度
せいど · seido · JLPT N3 · noun
system
🏛️ 制 control + 度 rule/measure = a set of rules: a system
Seido sounds like say-do: a system tells you what to say and what to do. 制 means to regulate, as in 制限 (limit), and 度 means a degree or measure. Together they make an established system or institution.
制 — knife 刂 + 未 (tree branches)
Originally depicted a knife 刂 cutting branches from a tree, showing the act of trimming or shaping wood. From this concrete sense of cutting to size came the meanings 'to make,' 'to manufacture,' and by extension 'to control' or 'regulate' — shaping things to a desired form.
度 — 广 (shelter) + 庶 abbreviated (phonetic)
Originally depicted a hand measuring length under a shelter, meaning 'to measure' or 'a measure/standard.' From this came extended senses like 'degree,' 'extent,' and 'to pass through' (as in passing time). The reading 'dù' means degree/measure, while 'duó' preserves the older verbal sense of measuring.