pea, bean

荅 is composed of the radical 艸 (grass) and 合 (fit, together). 艸 depicts two small plants, signifying vegetation, while 合 is a pictograph of a lidded container. Thus, 荅 refers to a plant shaped like a box, specifically leguminous plants with pods. Additionally, because 荅 resembles 答 (respond), it is also considered a variant form of 答.