(prefix indicating ordinal number, e.g. first, number two etc) / order / (old) rank in the imperial examinations / mansion / (literary) but / just
第
=
⺮
+
弓
+
丨
+
丿
:
Dorothy Gale (di) accomplished an awesome result with her composite bow (弓) in the space station's bathroom (Ø4): She shot a bamboo stick (⺮) into a banana (丿) so it was split in half, and then fired a dinosaur bone (丨) into the bamboo stick (⺮) so it was split in half as well. Dorothy is number one (第) with the bow!
(prefix indicating ordinal number, as in 第六[di4 liu4] "sixth") / (literary) grades in which successful candidates in the imperial examinations were placed / (old) residence of a high official / (literary) but; however / (literary) only; just
三
=
一
+
二
:
Mnemonic symbol: Cartesian coordinate system with three (三) axes. Socrates (s-) is performing in front of the anthill (-an1). He created an electrical flute by attaching a large capacitor (二) to the flute (一), so that he can get the attention of all the people. Moreover, he's balancing on a Cartesian coordinate system (三). Unfortunately, only three (三) people stop to watch the performance.
人
=
丿
+
㇏
:
Mnemonic symbol: Neanderthal Man (人). Robinson Crusoe (r-) is looking for snacks in the encampment's kitchen (-en2) when he suddenly spots Neanderthal Man (人). Neanderthal Man offers him a banana (丿), but Robinson Crusoe doesn't trust the present and pokes it with a finger (㇏).
to weigh / to state / to name / name / appellation / to praise
称
=
尔
+
禾
:
Charlie Chaplin practices eating cereals blindfolded in front of the engine. As he is eating he wonders why the bowl is suddenly so heavy. The reason is that a peace dove sat down on the bowl and eats the cereals as well. The peace dove names Charlie Chaplin a real idiot because he doesn't notice.