什 (shén)
what
Etymology
The character is based on the original meaning "file of ten soldiers". The modern meaning "what" is a phonetic loan.
Shuowen Jiezi
《說文》：“什，相什保也。从人、十。”
Original meaning
file of ten soldiers
Components
- 亻 (meaning) — 亻 is a component form of 人.
- 十 (meaning)