Two strokes — a pictograph of a plough or, in another reading, a flexed muscular arm. The downward hook plus the slanting stroke trace the curved blade and handle of an ancient digging tool, the prototypical image of physical effort. Self-radical (Kangxi #19) — atomic, not decomposed further. Stands at the root of
男 (field-strength = man),
加 (add force),
助 (lend strength),
努 (strive).
