Radical 氵

9 strokes

water 氵 (78a) + tributary (664b) = group 派

This is generally a group of people in the sense of a faction or school of thought.

[派别 (79) pàibié group, school, faction]

[派系 (607) pàixì faction (in a political party)]

[派头 (246) pàitóu style (as in “doing something in style”)]

The water in the tributary is particularly good and only a privileged group is allowed to fish there. / The dwarf objects to this because he thinks there’s plenty of pike for everyone.

Compare this with “dress” (436a).

drag (150a) + brigade (664a) = tributary

The commanding officer drags his brigade miles to the river, but when they get there it’s just a tributary (he’s got the navigation wrong again). / [No pronunciation needed]