兼
jiān
double
twice; simultaneous; holding two or more (official) posts at the same time
grasp (丷) + hand (彐) + grain (禾) + grain (禾) = holding two at once
The original image is a hand gripping two stalks of grain simultaneously. This concrete picture of doubling gave rise to the broader sense of holding multiple roles or things at the same time.
他兼做两份工作，所以很忙。
tā jiān zuò liǎng fèn gōngzuò，suǒyǐ hěn máng。
He holds two jobs at the same time, so he is very busy.
这位老师兼任学校的图书管理员。
zhè wèi lǎoshī jiān rèn xuéxiào de túshū guǎnlǐyuán。
This teacher also concurrently serves as the school's librarian.
Words with 兼
电磁兼容性
diàn cí jiān róng xìng
electromagnetic compatibility
鱼与熊掌不可兼得
yú yǔ xióng zhǎng bù kě jiān dé
lit. the fish and the bear's paw, you can't have both at the same time (idiom, from Mencius); fig. you must choose one or the other
不兼容性
bù jiān róng xìng
incompatibility
内外兼修
nèi wài jiān xiū
(of a person) beautiful inside and out
兼备
jiān bèi
have both
公私兼顾
gōng sī jiān gù
to adequately take into account both public and private interests
兼并与收购
jiān bìng yǔ shōu gòu
mergers and acquisitions (M&A)
兼任
jiān rèn
to hold a concurrent post
兼并
jiān bìng
to annex
兼优
jiān yōu
an all-rounder
兼具
jiān jù
to combine
兼善天下
jiān shàn tiān xià
(idiom) to work for the common good beyond one's own interests