率
りつ · ritsu · JLPT N3 · noun
rate
📊 ritsu sounds like rates you: a percentage that rates how you did
The same kanji is used in 率いる (hikiiru, to lead), and it began as a drawing of a twisted rope. Whoever holds the rope sets the pace, which links leading to rate. Common words: 確率 (kakuritsu, probability) and 比率 (hiritsu, ratio).
率 — twisted silk threads with droplets, plus 十
率 originally pictured a net or twisted bundle of silk cords with water droplets shaking off, suggesting something being led or pulled along. From 'leading a rope' it extended to 'lead, command' (shuài) and to 'rate, ratio' (lǜ), as in a fixed proportion. The two readings share this core image of a guiding measure.