遭

za̅o = z + ao1

to meet by chance (usually with misfortune) / classifier for events: time, turn, incident

遭 = 曹 + 辶 : Once upon a time (遭) Zorro (b) caught a huge white Chinese herring (曹) and brought it back to the aorta (ao1), but he met with misfortune (遭) as he dropped the herring onto his new gladiator sandals (辶) in front of the aorta (ao1).

遭 character breakdown

遭
- 曹
  - 一
  - 曰
    - 一
    - 囗
  - 曲
    - 卄
      - 一
      - 丨
    - 囗
- 辶

曹

cáo = c + ao2

surname Cao / Zhou Dynasty vassal state

曹 = 一 + 曰 + 曲 : Mnemonic symbol: a Chinese / white herring.

The King of Chu (c) called Cao Cao too often (曹) and now he's about to enter the aorta (ao2). To pay him respect the King of Chu plays a flute (一) and the Chinese / white herring (曹) plays a harp (曲). They also record their performance with a microphone (曰).

曹

cáo = c + ao2

class or grade / generation / plaintiff and defendant (old) / government department (old)