杜

dù = du + Ø4

surname Du

杜 = 土 + 木 : Doggy Dog (du) finds that there is a Christmas tree (木) growing out of the dirt (土) in the space stations bathroom (Ø4). With a sigh he nips the tree in the bud (杜) and stops (杜) it from growing while it is still small.

杜

dù = du + Ø4

birchleaf pear (tree) / to stop / to prevent / to restrict

杜 character breakdown

杜
- 土
  - 一
  - 十
    - 一
    - 丨
- 木
  - 八
    - 丿
    - ㇏
  - 十
    - 一
    - 丨

土

tǔ = tu + Ø3

Tu (ethnic group) / surname Tu

土

tǔ = tu + Ø3

earth / dust / clay / local / indigenous / crude opium / unsophisticated / one of the eight categories of ancient musical instruments 八音[ba1 yin1]

土 = 十 + 一 : Tommy Turtle (tu) wants to fix a cross (十) on a flute (一) in the space station's living room (Ø3). He uses dust and clay (土) to hold them together.

木

mù = mu + Ø4

surname Mu

木

mù = mu + Ø4

tree / wood / coffin / wooden / simple / numb / one of the eight categories of ancient musical instruments 八音[ba1 yin1]

木 = 八 + 十 : Mnemonic symbol: a Christmas tree. Malte Monkey is putting up a Christmas tree (木) in the bathroom of the space station (Ø4). He's using a cross (十) as a base to put the tree on, and decorates the tree with eight-balls (八).

木

mù = mu + Ø4

(bound form) tree / (bound form) wood / unresponsive; numb; wooden