説得
せっとく · settoku · JLPT N1 · noun
persuasion
🗣️ 説 = speak + 得 = gain: speak until you gain their yes
説 means speak or explain, and 得 means gain or obtain. Persuasion is speaking until the listener's agreement is gained. Set the talk, take the yes.
得 — 彳 (step) + 旦 (sun/day) + 寸 (hand)
Originally depicted a hand 寸 reaching for a cowrie shell 貝 (later simplified to 旦), with 彳 'step' added to show going out and obtaining something. The core meaning is 'to get' or 'obtain'. The reading děi extends this to 'must/have to' — what one is obliged to get done.