差す
さす · sasu · JLPT N5 · verb-godan
umbrella
☂️ sasu: SASsy move — thrust a hand or umbrella up and out
差す (sasu) means to hold something up or out: an umbrella over your head, a hand extended forward. Verbal hook: 傘を差す (kasa o sasu) = to put up an umbrella. The sa-su sound is short and quick, like the snap of an umbrella opening.
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).