困 (kùn)

to trap; to surround; hard-pressed; stranded; destitute

Etymology

Depicts a wooden (木) door frame (囗). Based on the original meaning "doorway, threshold". The meaning later expanded to "obstruct" and "trap".

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》:“困,故廬也。从木在囗中。,古文困。”

Original meaning

doorway, threshold

Components