TSUMUGU · TOCFL B1 (est.) · 字
聘
聘 ＝ 耳 ＋ 甹
ㄆㄧㄣˋ · pìn
verb — to engage, hire; to betroth
字源 FORM — what the parts do
甹聲pīng — gives the sound
Tpīng → pìn — tone and final shift, the initial holds
An ear (耳) for the inquiry — 說文 reads 聘 as to visit and ask after. 甹 pīng carries the sound, the tone worn down. From the formal visit come its two errands: to engage someone (聘請) and to send the betrothal gifts (聘禮).
故事 STORY — a scene to remember it by
使者登門，側耳（耳）問候——這趟是來聘人的。
An envoy at the door, an ear (耳) turned to listen — this visit comes to engage someone.
字源記憶法
意 · Meanings
(本義)聘問— to visit and inquire formally
→聘請— to engage, to hire常用
⇒聘禮、下聘— the betrothal gift
(本義) original meaning · → ⇒ each arrow = one more step of extension
關 · Related
聆língthe lookalike — 聆 sets beside 令, 聘 sets beside