添 means “add, accompany”

そえる · soeru

Also: annexed, marry, suit

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)
そえる, そう
On'yomi (Chinese reading)
テン

JLPT N1 · Taught in secondary school · 11 strokes

The story

Water (氵) beside 忝, humbly grateful: picture a host topping up your cup with one more splash as you bow your thanks. 添 is adding something extra: 添付ファイル is an email attachment, 無添加 on a label means no additives, and 寄り添う is to stay close by someone's side.

Used in 添付 (tenpu, attachment), 添加物 (tenkabutsu, additive), and 添える (soeru, to add/garnish)

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Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.