歎

tàn = t + an4

variant of 嘆|叹[tan4]

叹 = 又 + 口 : Tecumseh (t) is loosing a battle in the anthill's bathroom (an4). With each hit of his opponent's boxing glove (又) on his mouth (口) he gives a desperate sigh (叹).

歎 character breakdown

歎
- 堇
  - 土
    - 一
    - 十
      - 一
      - 丨
  - 革
    - 一
    - 中
      - 丨
      - 口
    - 廿
      - 一
      - 卄
        
        一
        
        丨
- 欠
  - 人
    - 丿
    - ㇏
  - ⺈
    - 刀
      - 丿
      - ㇆
        
        一
        
        亅

堇

jǐn = ji + (e)n3

clay / old variant of 僅|仅[jin3] / violet (plant)

堇 = 土 + 革 : Joan of Arc (ji) is throwing violet (堇) clay (堇) and dirt (土) at the king's cow hide (革) in the encampment ((e)n3).

欠

qiàn = qi + an4

to owe / to lack / (literary) to be deficient in / (bound form) yawn / to raise slightly (a part of one's body)

欠 = ⺈ + 人 : The Queen of Hearts (qi) is pretty annoyed by Neanderthal Man (人), who is quarreling with the crane (⺈) in the anthill's bathroom (an4). Neanderthal Man (人) owes the crane money, and the crane is waving with his IOU note (mnemonic symbol for 欠).