TSUMUGU · TOCFL B1 (est.) · 字
臣
ㄔㄣˊ · chén
noun — a subject, a minister serving the ruler
字源 FORM — what the parts do
臣形an eye drawn upright — the downcast eye of one who bows
A single eye stood on end — the eye of a servant with head bowed low, looking up at the lord. 說文: 事君者，象屈服之形. From that bent posture, the one who serves: 臣子、君臣, and to submit, 稱臣.
故事 STORY — a scene to remember it by
一隻豎著的眼（臣）——人低頭俯身，眼睛就立了起來。
A single eye stood upright (臣) — the head bows low, and the eye turns on its end.
字源記憶法
意 · Meanings
(本義)臣、臣子— a subject, a minister常用
→君臣— ruler and subject
⇒稱臣— to submit, declare oneself a vassal
(本義) original meaning · → ⇒ each arrow = one more step of extension