乗
ジョウ, ショウ, の.る, の.り, の.せる, のり

ride, power, multiplication, record, counter for vehicles, board, mount, join

JLPT3 G3 S9 F377

The relevant oracle bone form of this character shows a person atop a tree → help a person climb a tree (compare 丞) → *mount*; *ride* (← clamber atop) → *help someone get on* (a conveyance); *get into/take* (a bus/train etc.); → *give someone a lift*; *convey*. Also, *multiply* (← place atop), *take part* (← get on a vehicle with others) and *deceive* (compare English "take someone for a ride").

[Full Kanji Etymology List]