蒸気
じょうき · jouki · JLPT N2 · noun
steam
♨️ 蒸 (steam/steam-cook) + 気 (air/spirit): hot air rising from water
蒸 means to steam food; 気 means air or vapor. Together they name steam, the gas that rises from boiling water. Pronounced 'jouki', like 'joe-kee'.
蒸 — grass 艹 + 丞 (phonetic) + fire 灬
Originally depicted plant stalks (艹) being heated over fire (灬), with 丞 providing the sound. The character first meant rising steam from burning hemp stalks used as torches, then broadened to mean steaming food or vapor rising. Modern uses extend metaphorically to 'flourishing' or 'thriving.'