所
suǒ
actually
place; classifier for houses, small buildings, institutions etc; that which; particle introducing a relative clause or passive; CL:個|个[ge4]
Door (户) + axe (斤) = the place where work gets done
A door (户) plus an axe (斤) originally evoked a place where woodcutting happens — hence a specific location or premises. Over time 所 extended to mark 'that which' and introduce relative or passive constructions, while retaining its core sense of a bounded place or institution.
Words with 所
厕所
cè suǒ
toilet; lavatory
无所不能
wú suǒ bù néng
omnipotent
强人所难
qiǎng rén suǒ nán
to force someone to do something
畅所欲言
chàng suǒ yù yán
lit. fluently saying all one wants (idiom); to preach freely on one's favorite topic
所有者
suǒ yǒu zhě
proprietor
各得其所
gè dé qí suǒ
(idiom) each in the correct place; each is provided for
随心所欲
suí xīn suǒ yù
(idiom) to follow one's heart's desires; to do as one pleases
所向披靡
suǒ xiàng pī mǐ
(idiom) to sweep everything before one; to be invincible
不出所料
bù chū suǒ liào
as expected
劳教所
láo jiào suǒ
correctional institution
所罗门
suǒ luó mén
Solomon (name)
所以
suǒ yǐ
therefore