攀

攀 is a phono-semantic compound consisting of

手 (손 수) — “hand,” providing the meaning “to grasp or handle,”

樊 (울타리 번) — phonetic element, also evoking an image of entwined branches or fences.

Thus the sense is “to grasp branches with the hand.”

攀登 (반등) — to climb, mount (a mountain or height)

攀緣 (반연) — to seek connection or cling (Buddhist: attachment)

攀附 (반부) — to curry favor, cling to someone influential

攀談 (반담) — to start a conversation, “grasp words” (figurative)

攀枝 (반지) — to grasp a branch; metaphor for marriage alliance

攀越 (반월) — to scale, to climb over

攀 embodies the human urge to ascend or reach higher — physically to the summit, socially toward advancement.

Confucian texts sometimes warn against 攀附權貴 (“clinging to the powerful”) as unbecoming conduct, while Daoist and Buddhist writings contrast 攀緣心 (“clinging mind”) with detachment.

In Korean usage seen mainly in 등반 (登攀) “mountaineering.”

In Chinese usage common in both literal and figurative expressions (攀登高峰 “to scale a peak,” 攀親 “to seek in-law ties”).