clouds (124b) + shears 乂 (25a) = tap 攵

This component always appears as the right-hand side of a character.

Compare it with “pursue” (506a) which looks similar but has one less stroke.

The meaning is “to tap” with a stick — think of it as tapping lightly, in the way that a magician might tap with a wand; as opposed to the heavy swiping motion of “to strike” (169a).

The topiarist was dreaming of trimming clouds with his shears (creating wonderful shapes) — until he felt a tap on his shoulder (waking him up as his lunch break was over). / [No pronunciation needed]