TSUMUGU · TOCFL 1 (est.) · 字
把
把 ＝ 扌 ＋ 巴
ㄅㄚˇ · bǎ
verb/prep — to grasp, to hold; (marks the object of an action)
字源 FORM — what the parts do
扌義a hand
Tbā → bǎ — tone only, same initial and final
A hand (扌) does the work; 巴 bā gives the sound, off only by tone. To take hold with the hand: 把住、把手. From holding a thing came the grammar word that grabs the object and sets it before the verb — 把門關上 — and the counter for what fills a fist, 一把.
故事 STORY — a scene to remember it by
一隻手（扌）牢牢抓住——把住了。
A hand (扌) closes tight around it — got a grip.
字源記憶法
意 · Meanings
(本義)把住、把握— to grasp, to hold常用
→把手、車把— a handle — what you grip常用
⇒把門關上— (marks the object moved or acted on)常用
⇒一把刀、一把米— a handful; counter for grippable things常用
(本義) original meaning · → ⇒ each arrow = one more step of extension