質
シツ, シチ, チ, たち, ただ.す, もと, わりふ

substance, quality, matter, temperament

JLPT4 G5 S15 F389

斦 is 斤 ax doubled, emphasizing splitting. 質 adds 貝, here an abbreviated form# of 實 (house full of treasures) → split one's belongings → *pawn* → *hostage*; *mortgage* → *quality/content*; *nature*; *verify*; *ask* → *simple* (← simple reality).

[Full Kanji Etymology List]