資格
しかく · shikaku · JLPT N3 · noun
qualification
📜 資 resources + 格 rank = the standing your assets earn you
資 means capital or resources, as in 資金 (funds); 格 means rank or status, as in 性格. Sound hook: shikaku is also 四角, square, so qualifications are the boxes you have to tick.
格 — wood 木 + 各 (each, phonetic)
格 is a semantic-phonetic compound: 木 (wood) gives the meaning, originally referring to a wooden frame, lattice, or crossbar, while 各 supplies the sound. From 'frame/grid' the meaning extended to 'pattern, standard, style' and the modern senses of 'square (in a grid)' and 'character/disposition'.