Kanji

💡 Picture a document marked with an official stamp: that is what 簿 means — register / record book. Now find the part that anchors it in the character itself, 竹 (bamboo) — two bamboo stalks with their leaves, and beside it 溥 (spread thin) — water spread so thin it barely covers the ground beneath it. Drop that part into the picture and the shape stops being something separate to memorise.

💡 Picture a deep overhanging eave carried on two posts with its rafter ends showing: that is what 閣 means — cabinet / tower. Now find the part that anchors it in the character itself, 門 (gate) — a double gate with both doors closed, and beside it 各 (each) — one foot set down beside a mouth. Drop that part into the picture and the shape stops being something separate to memorise.

💡 Break 脳 down and you get 月 (moon / month) — the moon hanging in a clear night sky. Picture the moon in a night sky, put 脳 inside it, and let that scene stand for "brain" — brain. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Picture two people standing side by side: that is what 吏 means — official. Now find the part that anchors it in the character itself, 丈 (measure / full-grown) — a measuring rod gripped firm in an outstretched hand, and beside it 口 (mouth / opening) — an open mouth, or any opening. Drop that part into the picture and the shape stops being something separate to memorise.

💡 Break 庶 down and you get 广 (building / lean-to) — a roof with one open side, built against a wall. Picture a house under its roof, put 庶 inside it, and let that scene stand for "commoner" — commoner / various. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Picture an open notebook with an idea lighting up above it, and set 衆 inside that picture. The scene is the hook: bring it back and 衆 comes with it, meaning "masses / crowd".

💡 Break 聴 down and you get 耳 (ear) — an ear turned towards the sound. Picture an ear turned towards an incoming sound, put 聴 inside it, and let that scene stand for "listen" — listen. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 陪 down and you get ⻖ (hill / mound) — a terraced hill climbing at the left. Picture a terraced hillside, put 陪 inside it, and let that scene stand for "attend" — attend / accompany. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 訴 down and you get 言 (speech / words) — words rising out of an open mouth. Picture a speech bubble with the character spoken inside it, put 訴 inside it, and let that scene stand for "sue" — sue / appeal. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 訟 down and you get 言 (speech / words) — words rising out of an open mouth. Picture a bell ringing out to call for attention, put 訟 inside it, and let that scene stand for "litigation" — litigation. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.