lively, resuscitation, being helped, living
活 centers on the idea of life and vitality: being lively, active, or living. The resuscitation and being helped senses are natural extensions of restoring life or energy.
活 combines 氵 (water) with 舌 (tongue), likely suggesting the idea of water flowing and bringing life, or the tongue as a sign of life. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Water 氵 and tongue 舌 together suggest life: water sustains living things, and a moving tongue shows liveliness. Picture a lively stream where a tongue drinks and comes alive.
For カツ, imagine a lively cat splashing in the water: cat -> カツ, and the water brings the cat to life.
life; living
activity (of a person, organization, animal, volcano, etc.); action; operation
activity (esp. energetic or successful); great efforts; active participation
revival (of an old system, custom, fashion, etc.); restoration; return; comeback
practical use; application; making good use of; putting to good use; capitalizing on
activity
lively; active; vigorous; animated; brisk
club activities; extracurricular activities
job hunting; job searching
eating habits; diet; dietary pattern
private life
vitality; energy; dynamism
energy; vigour; vigor; liveliness; spirit; life; animation
(piece of) type; movable type; moveable type; printing type
cheerful; lively; lighthearted
life and death; life or death
means of survival; means of escape; way out of a difficulty
activity; briskness; prosperity
self-support
club activities (usu. clubs in association with a school); extracurricular activities
new life; fresh start; new routine
everyday life; daily life
effective use; making effective use (of)
activist
living expenses