厄
ヤク

unlucky, misfortune, bad luck, disaster

JLPT1 G7 S4 F2123

An abbreviated form# of 却 (withdraw in a kneeling position) + 厂 cliff → withdraw in a kneeling position from a cliff → *be at a loss* (← be unable to progress) → *misfortune*; *disaster*.

[Full Kanji Etymology List]