奏 zòu to play
to play; to report
How it came to be
Two hands raised together holding an offering up: laying a thing before somebody who outranks you. Music was offered at court the same way, so it means to play.
How it is used
- To play music (on an instrument) - 演奏 (yǎnzòu) perform, 伴奏 (bànzòu) accompany, 独奏 (dúzòu) solo.
- 节奏 (jiézòu) = rhythm/tempo, extended to the pace of anything: 生活节奏 (shēnghuó jiézòu) pace of life.
- 奏效 (zòuxiào) = to take effect/work. Archaic sense 'to report to the emperor' survives in 奏折 (zòuzhé).