TSUMUGU · TOCFL B2 (est.) · 字
吩
ㄈㄣ · fēn
verb — (in 吩咐) to instruct, tell, order
字源 FORM — what the parts do
The mouth (口) parcelling out (分) what each is to do — to instruct. 分 fēn carries the sound straight. Almost always paired: 吩咐.
故事 STORY — a scene to remember it by
主人開口（口），把活兒一份份分（分）給各人——交代清楚。
The master speaks (口), parcelling the work out (分) share by share — each told what to do.
字源記憶法
意 · Meanings
(本義)吩咐— to instruct, tell to do常用
→吩咐— to order, enjoin
(本義) original meaning · → ⇒ each arrow = one more step of extension