差し支え
さしつかえ · sashitsukae · JLPT N2 · noun
hindrance
🚧 差し支え = 差し (thrust in) + 支え (prop, support): something jammed in as a prop that blocks the way
Literally a prop thrust into a path. It appears in polite set phrases like 差し支えなければ, meaning if it causes no trouble.
差 — 垂 (drooping) + 工 (work/tool)
Originally depicted a hand reaching down to grasp grain stalks of uneven length, suggesting discrepancy or unevenness. From this came the meaning 'difference' or 'to differ.' The reading chā specifically carries the sense of disparity, while other readings developed meanings like 'to dispatch' (chāi) and 'poor/lacking' (chà).
支 — hand 又 holding a branch 十
Originally a pictograph showing a hand (又) holding a branch broken from a tree, depicting the act of supporting or propping something up. From this came meanings like 'branch,' 'to support,' and 'to pay out.' It also serves as a phonetic component in characters like 枝 (branch) and 技 (skill).