比べる
くらべる · kuraberu · JLPT N4 · verb-ichidan
to compare
⚖️ 比 = two people side by side: line them up to compare
The kanji 比 began as two people standing next to each other, which is how you measure one against the other. Sound hook: kuraberu ~ 'curable?' — doctors compare two treatments to see which one is curable-r.
比 — two 匕 (person) side by side
比 is a pictograph showing two people standing side by side, facing the same direction. From this image of paired figures came the core meaning 'to compare' or 'to be next to,' since comparing things naturally involves placing them alongside each other.