炸

zhá = zh + a2

to deep fry / Taiwan pr. [zha4]

炸 = 乍 + 火 : James II of England (zh) is deep frying (炸) his Mohawk haircut (乍) in the ashram's kitchen (a2), but then suddenly his Mohawk catches fire (火) and he runs into the bathroom.

炸

zhà = zh + a4

to burst / to explode / to blow up / (fig.) to fly into a rage

炸 = 乍 + 火 : As James II of England (zh) runs into the ashram's bathroom (a4) with his Mohawk (乍) on fire (火) the whole building explodes (炸) since there was a lot of methane from the previous user in the bathroom.

炸 character breakdown

炸
- 乍
- 火
  - 丶
  - 人
    - 丿
    - ㇏

乍

zhà = zh + a4

at first / suddenly / abruptly / to spread / (of hair) to stand on end / bristling

Mnemonic symbol: a Mohawk haircut. It fits the hair "to stand on end" and the character itself looks like a head with a Mohawk haircut facing towards the left.

James II of England (zh) tries out a Mohawk haircut (乍) in the ashram's bathroom (a4).

火

huǒ = hu + o3

fire / urgent / ammunition / fiery or flaming / internal heat (Chinese medicine) / hot (popular) / classifier for military units (old) / Kangxi radical 86

火 = 人 + 丶 : Helga Horse (hu) and Neanderthal Man (人) are starting a fire (火) in the observatory's living room (o3) with two large petals (丶).