to answer; to reply; to return; to repay
答 means to answer or reply; in 答应 it uses the first tone and means to agree.
GF0025–2021 character list · 一级, 二级WHOLE GLYPH & STRUCTURE
The upper ⺮ is the bamboo component in its shortened top form. The lower component supplies a historical sound clue.
WHOLE CHARACTER
to answer; to reply; to return; to repay
答 means to answer or reply; in 答应 it uses the first tone and means to agree.
The upper ⺮ is the bamboo component in its shortened top form. The lower component supplies a historical sound clue.
BAMBOO-TOP VARIANT
bamboo (from 竹)
The paired bamboo crown (the bound top of 竹); the written top of bamboo-related characters; not a standalone word.
In 答: bamboo-top variant The real contracted bamboo-top form; not full standalone 竹.
SOUND SIDE
to close; to combine
Standalone meaning is kept separate from its role in other characters.
In 答: sound side ZDIC records 合 as the sound side; modern dá/dā differ.
Checking for a Mandarin voice…