受取
うけとり · uketori · JLPT N2 · noun
reception
🧾 受取 = receive (受け uke) + take (取り tori): the slip proving you took it
Both kanji mean getting something: 受 is to receive, 取 is to take. A receipt records that you received and took the goods. The verbs 受ける (ukeru) and 取る (toru) join as uke + tori.
受 — hand 爫 (top) + 冖 + hand 又 (bottom)
Originally a pictograph showing two hands passing an object (the middle 冖 represented a boat or tray) between them. It depicted the act of giving and receiving, so the character meant both 'to give' and 'to receive.' Later 授 was created with the hand radical 扌 to mean 'give,' leaving 受 to mean 'receive' or 'accept.'
取 — ear 耳 + hand 又
取 originally depicted a hand (又) grasping an ear (耳), referencing the ancient practice of soldiers cutting off enemies' left ears as proof of kills to claim rewards. The meaning broadened from 'seize/take by force' to the general sense of 'take, get, obtain' used today.