差し支える
さしつかえる · sashitsukaeru · JLPT N1 · verb-ichidan
to interfere
🚧 差し (thrust in) + 支える (prop up): a prop thrust into the path blocks the way
差す means to thrust or insert, and 支える means to prop up or hold. Together they describe something jammed into the way and blocking progress. Common in 差し支えなければ, meaning if it is no trouble.
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).
支 — hand 又 holding a branch 十
Originally a pictograph showing a hand (又) holding a branch broken from a tree, depicting the act of supporting or propping something up. From this came meanings like 'branch,' 'to support,' and 'to pay out.' It also serves as a phonetic component in characters like 枝 (branch) and 技 (skill).