没 (méi)

(negative prefix for verbs) have not; not

HSK 3.1 level 1
7 strokes

Etymology

Simplified form of 沒. Depicts a hand reaching in the water to grab something. The meaning later expanded to "drown", "disappear", and "not have".

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》：“沒，沈也。从水，从。”

Original meaning

reach into the water to grab something

Components

氵 (meaning) — 氵 is a component form of 水.
回 (iconic, simplified) — Depicts the rippling surface of water.
又 (iconic) — Depicts a hand.