TSUMUGU · TOCFL 2 (est.) · 字
何
何 ＝ 亻 ＋ 可
ㄏㄜˊ · hé
pron — what, how, why
字源 FORM — what the parts do
亻義a person, carrying
{g,k,h}ITkě → hé — the {g,k,h} crossing; tone shifts too
The old graph is a man (亻) with a load over his shoulder — the word for to carry. The question word borrowed the carrier; the carrying moved on to 荷. 可 kě carries the sound, worn from k to h.
故事 STORY — a scene to remember it by
扁擔上肩，兩頭一顫一顫——人（亻）走，擔子跟著走。
The pole settles on the shoulder, both ends swaying — the man (亻) walks, and the load walks with him.
字源記憶法
意 · Meanings
(本義)扛、擔（今作荷）— to carry on the shoulder — now written 荷
(假借)什麼——如何、為何、任何— what; how — the borrowed question常用
(本義) original meaning · → ⇒ each arrow = one more step of extension