牽

牽 is a phono-semantic compound:

牛 (cow/ox) - Semantic element, suggesting the idea of pulling livestock;

玄 (dark, mysterious) - Phonetic element providing the sound 견 (qiān);

冖 (cover radical) appears over 玄, completing the structure.

Originally depicted leading an ox by a rope, a common agrarian image. Over time it generalized to mean to pull, to lead, to drag, or to be tied/involved.

Also conveys extended senses like to hinder or to be entangled in something.

견 (牽) – “to lead, pull.”

牽引(견인) – “to tow, to haul.”

牽制(견제) – “to hold in check, restrain.”