弹

dàn = d + an4

crossball / bullet / shot / shell / ball

弹 = 单 + 弓 : Don Quixote (d) is preparing a bullet (弹) list in the anthill's bathroom (an4), but he took the term a little too literally. To create the bullet points on his list (单), he is trying to shoot bullets (弹) at the list using a composite bow (弓).

弹

彈

tán = t + an2

to pluck (a string) / to play (a string instrument) / to spring or leap / to shoot (e.g. with a catapult) / (of cotton) to fluff or tease / to flick / to flip / to accuse / to impeach / elastic (of materials)

弹 = 单 + 弓 : Tecumseh (t) is giving a concert in the anthill's kitchen (an2). He is playing a composite bow (弓) with just a single string. As he is plucking (弹) the string (弹) of his bow, he often looks at the floor where he taped a list (单) of songs to play so that he doesn't forget which song is next.

弹 character breakdown

弹
- 单
  - 丷
  - 八
    - 丿
    - ㇏
  - 十
    - 一
    - 丨
  - 田
    - 十
      - 一
      - 丨
    - 囗
- 弓

单

單

shàn = sh + an4

surname Shan

单

單

da̅n = d + an1

bill / list / form / single / only / sole / odd number / CL:個|个[ge4]

单 = 丷 + 田 + 十 : In front of the anthill there are many, really a field of crosses because Don Quixote killed so many people on his crusades. Today is his judgement day: a mean crocodile reads the list of his victims to him, and Don Quixote is really 不好意思.

弓

go̅ng = gu + (e)ng1

a bow (weapon) / CL:張|张[zhang1] / to bend / to arch (one's back etc)

Mnemonic symbol: this character just looks like a composite bow.

Gitta Giraffe (gu) is shooting arrows with a composite bow (弓) in front of the engine ((e)ng1).