読　聞　見　友　何

読 combines 言 (words / speech) on the left with a figure of an open mouth releasing sound on the right — speaking aloud what is written, the very essence of reading.

聞 shows an ear (耳) inside a gate (門) — someone pressing their ear to the gate to hear what is inside. The gate frames and focuses the act of listening.

見 shows a large eye (目) on top of a walking person's legs (儿) — a human whose eye is enlarged to emphasise looking. Seeing is what defines the person.

友 shows two right hands (又) reaching toward each other — the universal gesture of greeting and companionship. When two people extend a hand, friendship is born.

何 combines 人 (person) with a figure of someone bent under a heavy load on their shoulder — straining and asking 'what is this burden?' The questioning effort became the general question word: 'what?' or 'how many?'