二
=
一
:
Mnemonic symbol: a capacitor, because the two strokes remind me of the symbol in electrical drawings. Albert Einstein (Ø) is experimenting with a capacitor (二) in the space station's bathroom (Ø4). He finds that it's uncomfortable to discharge a capacitor using two flutes (一).
to hold / to contain / to grasp / to take hold of / handle / particle marking the following noun as a direct object / classifier for objects with handle / classifier for small objects: handful
把
=
巴
+
扌
:
A grappling hook. Beelzebub was just enjoying his lollipop in the ashram. Because he was afraid of his hand being too sticky, he used a toy claw to hold the lollipop. Now he's crying like a baby because somebody used a grappling hook to steal his lollipop right from his hand.
to hold; to grasp / to hold a baby in position to help it urinate or defecate / handlebar / classifier: handful, bundle, bunch / classifier for things with handles / (used to put the object before the verb: 把[ba3] + {noun} + {verb})
knife / blade / single-edged sword / cutlass / CL:把[ba3] / (slang) dollar (loanword) / classifier for sets of one hundred sheets (of paper) / classifier for knife cuts or stabs
刀
=
㇆
+
丿
:
Mnemonic symbol: 刀 looks like a cleaver (while 刂 looks like a kitchen knife).
Don Quixote (d) serves his good deed of the day in front of the aorta (ao1). In order to feed the people, he uses a plow (㇆) to dig up bananas (丿), and cuts them into slices with a broad cleaver (刀).