belong, genus, subordinate official, affiliated
属 centers on being attached to a larger whole: belonging to a group, being a subordinate or affiliated member, or falling under a category such as a biological genus.
属 is the modern simplified form of 屬. The older form combines 尸 (body) with 蜀, which likely contributed the sound and the idea of attachment or connection. The modern inner component 禹 is a simplification.
The outer 尸 looks like a flag or banner, and the inner 禹 resembles a creature attached to it. Picture a subordinate official following the banner of their group, always belonging to that affiliation.
For ゾク, imagine a zookeeper who belongs to the zoo: zoo -> ゾク, and the zookeeper is a subordinate official of the animal kingdom.
belonging to (a group, organization, etc.); affiliation (with); being attached to; being under the control of; serving (in the military, congress, etc.)
attribute; property
metal
being attached (to); being affiliated (to); belonging (to); going with
to belong to; to come under; to be affiliated with; to be subject to
exclusive; attached to; specialist
assignment (of a person to somewhere); attachment (of a person to another unit, organization, etc.)
genus
independent (esp. in politics); non-partisan
belonging; ascription; attribution; imputation; possession; jurisdiction
subordination; dependency
precious metal
to belong to; to come under; to be affiliated with; to be subject to
direct control; direct supervision
(one's) family; dependents; household
changing assignments
subordination; servitude; servility; vassalage; slavery
vassal state; vassal nation; dependency
civilian in military employ
heavy metals