TSUMUGU · TOCFL 2 (est.) · 字
功
ㄍㄨㄥ · gōng
noun — merit, achievement; the result work leaves
字源 FORM — what the parts do
Strength (力) put into work (工) — together they write what the work leaves standing: merit. 工 gōng gives the sound and the sense at once. 成功 is the work brought through; 功夫, strength laid in over years; 功課, the work assigned.
故事 STORY — a scene to remember it by
最後一塊磚砌上，手放下來——力氣（力）全進了工（工）裡。
The last brick goes in, the hands come down — the strength (力) all gone into the work (工).
字源記憶法
意 · Meanings
(本義)功勞、功績— merit — the work that stands常用
→功夫— skill — strength laid in over time
→功能— function — what the work does
(本義) original meaning · → ⇒ each arrow = one more step of extension