chinese_character_cognates_in_korean_-

male, man, boy, son

C J K

男男男

nán だん (dan) 남 /nʌm/

田 7

① 男子: nánzǐ ① 男子: だんし ① 男子: 남자

② 男性: nánxìng ② 男性: だんせい ② 男性: 남성

③ 男人: nánren ④ 男前: おとこまえ ③ 男便: 남편

① man ② male ③ husband ④ handsome man, debonair

A compound ideogram originally combining 'field (田)' with the character for plow (later coming to mean 'strength (力)'), meaning it is the 'male' who plows the fields.

509: 界

boundary, limit, group, society

C J K

界界界

jiè かい (kai) 계 /ɡe/

田 9

① 世界: shì jiè ① 世界: せかい ① 世界: 세 계

② 限界: xiàn jiè ② 限界: げんかい ② 限界: 한 계

③ 境界: jìng jiè ③ 境界: きょうかい ③ 境界: 경 계

① the world, society, realm ② limit, boundary ③ metes & bounds

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'field (田)' and the phonetic 'in between (介)', meaning a 'boundary' is the road that lies in between the fields.

510: 留

stop, stay, remain

C J K

留留留

liú りゅう (ryuu) 류/유 /ryu//yu/

田 10

① 留意: liúyì ① 留意: りゅうい ① 留意: 유 의

② 留学: liúxué ② 留学: りゅうがく ② 留學: 유 학

③ 保留: bǎoliú ③ 留保: りゅうほ ③ 留保: 유 보

① heed, regard, keep in mind, bear in mind ② study abroad, overseas learning ③ retain, reserve, withhold

A phono-semantic compound combining the semantic 'field (田)' with the phonetic 'rabbit (卯)', meaning one must 'stay' to tend the farmland. 卯 is also the fourth (兔: rabbit) of the twelve signs of the zodiac (十二支).

511: 當

bear, undertake, assume, this, that

C J K

当当當

dāng とう (tou) 당 /dʌŋ/

彐 6

田 13

① 担当: dān dāng ① 担当: たんとう ① 擔當: 담 당

② 不当: bú dàng ② 不当: ふとう ② 不當: 부 당

③ 当局: dāngjú ③ 当局: とうきょく ③ 當局: 당 국

① assigned area, jurisdiction ② injustice, unreasonableness, wrong, unfair ③ authorities, governing body

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'field (田)' and the phonetic 'rather (尚)', meaning 'take charge' or 'undertake' a plot of land for tending.

512: 番

alternate, enumerate, serialize

C J K

番番番

fān ばん (ban) 번 /bən/

田 12

① 番号: fānhào ② 番号: ばんごう ② 番號: 번호

③ 番茄: fānqié ④ 番地: ばんち ④ 番地: 번지

- ⑤ 番手: ばんて ⑤ 番手: 번수

① numbered military unit ② number ③ tomato ④ house number, street number ⑤ count

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'field (田)' and the phonetic 'classify (釆)', meaning 'divide' and 'enumerate' the farmland in a numerical series.

513: 畫

draw, picture, delineate

C J K

画画畫

huà が (ga) 화/획 /hɒʌ//hɒeɡ/

田 8

田 12

① 笔画: bǐ huà ① 画数: かくすう ① 畫數: 획 수

② 画家: huà jiā ② 画家: がか ② 畵家: 화 가

③ 漫画: mànhuà ③ 漫画: まんが ③ 漫畫: 만화

① brush stroke, stroke count ② painter, artist ③ comics, manga

A compound ideogram combining 'brush (聿)' with 'field (田)', meaning 'draw' over an area with brush in hand. 'Stroke' or 'draw a line (劃)' comes from '畫'.

514: 異

different, unusual, strange

C J K

异異異

yì い (i) 이 /ɪ/

廾 6

田 11

① 异常: yìcháng ① 異常: いじょう ① 異常: 이 상

② 异性: yì xìng ② 異性: いせい ② 異性: 이 성

③ 异邦: yìbāng ③ 異邦: いほう ③ 異邦: 이 방

① abnormal, unusual, weird ② the opposite sex ③ unfamiliar country, unbeknownst place

A pictogram depicting a shaman—a medicine man or a female psychic medium—dancing with a spooky mask (田), originally meaning 'strange', later adding the meaning of 'different'.

515: 病

illness, sickness, disease

C J K

病病病

bìng びょう (byou) 병 /byə ŋ/

疒 10

① 病菌: bìngjūn ① 病菌: びょうきん ① 病菌: 병균

② 病床: bìngchuáng ② 病床: びょうしょう ② 病席: 병석

③ 疾病: jí bìng ④ 病院: びょういん ④ 病院: 병원

① virus, bacteria, germ ② sickbed, hospital bed ③ disease, illness ④ hospital

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'reclined from illness (疒)' and the phonetic 'fire (火→丙)', meaning the fever of a person (亠) lying on a bed (丬) from sickness is worsening from 'disease'.

516: 登

rise, mount, climb

C J K

登登登

dēng とう (tou) 등 /dɜŋ/

癶 12

① 登场: dēngchǎng ① 登場: とうじょう ① 登場: 등장

② 登山: dēngshān ② 登山: とざん ② 登山: 등산

③ 登录: dēnglù ③ 登録: とうろく ③ 登錄: 등록

① appear, advent, emerge ② mountaineering, mountain climbing ③ log in, sign up, entry

A compound ideogram depicting 'two feet (癶)' elevated on a higher plane to set into place a 'vessel (豆)' for sacrificial rites, meaning 'mount' or 'climb'.

517: 發

issue, emit, shoot, bloom

C J K

发発發

fā はつ (hatsu) 발 /bʌl/

又 5

癶 9

癶 12

① 发展: fāzhǎn ① 発展: はってん ① 發展: 발 전

② 发达: fādá ② 発達: はったつ ② 發達: 발 달

③ 发行: fāxíng ③ 発行: はっこう ④ 發見: 발 견

① progress, advancement ② developed, development, growth ③ issue, publish, release ④ find, discover, spot, detect

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'feet (癶)', and the phonetic 'bow (弓)' and 'pike (殳)', originally meaning an arrow 'leaving' the bow, later coming to mean 'shoot' or 'launch'.

518: 白

white, bright

C J K

白白白

bái はく (haku)/しろ (shiro) 백 /beɡ/

白 5

① 白色: báisè ① 白色: はくしょく ① 白色: 백색

② 白金: báijīn ② 白金: しろがね ② 白金: 백금

③ 白人: báirén ③ 白人: はくじん ③ 白人: 백인

① white color ② white gold, platinum ③ white person, Caucasian

A pictogram depicting either an acorn or a thumb, later coming to mean 'white'.

519: 百

one-hundred, many, numerous

C J K

百百百

bǎi ひゃく (hyaku) 백 /beɡ/

白 6

① 百姓: bǎixìng ① 百姓: ひゃくしょう ① 百姓: 백성

② 百万: bǎiwàn ② 百万: ひゃくまん ② 百萬: 백만

③ 百花: bǎihuā ③ 百花: ひゃっか ③ 百花: 백화

① commoners, subjects, the public ② a million, 100,0000 ③ a potpourri of flowers

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic and phonetic 'white (白)' with 'one ([]一)', from the old representation of a raised thumb meaning 'one-hundred'.

520: 的

adjectival suffix, target, goal

C J K

的的的

de/dì てき (teki) 적 /dʒ əɡ/

白 8

① 目的: mù dì ① 目的: もくてき ① 目的: 목적

② 的士: díshì ③ 的中: てきちゅう ③ 的中: 적중

④ 我的: wǒde ⑤ 人間的: にんげんてき ⑤ 人間的: 인 간적

① objective, aim, goal, purpose ② taxi ③ hit the target, guess right ④ my, mine ⑤ humane, humanistic

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'white (白)' and the phonetic 'ladle (勺)', originally combined with 'day (日)' and 'ladle (勺)' and meaning 'bright (旳)', but transforming and later coming to mean 'goal' or 'target'.

521: 皆

all, every

C J K

皆皆皆

jiē かい (kai) 개 /ɡe/

白 9

① 皆: jiē ② 皆勤: かいきん ② 皆勤: 개 근

- ③ 皆既: かいき ③ 皆旣: 개 기

① all, every ② perfect attendance, non-absence ③ total eclipse, totality

A compound ideogram combining 'compare (比)' with 'white (白)', meaning 'all' the same. Here, 白 intimates 'self (自)'.

522: 皇

royal, imperial, emperor

C J K

皇皇皇

huáng こう (kou) 황 /hɒʌŋ/

白 9

① 皇帝: huáng dì ① 皇帝: こうてい ① 皇帝: 황 제

② 皇后: huáng hòu ② 皇后: こうごう ② 皇后: 황 후

③ 皇室: huáng shì ③ 皇室: こうしつ ④ 敎皇: 교 황

① emperor ② empress ③ imperial household, royal family ④ pope, pontiff, Holy Father

A pictogram depicting a king wearing a crown while seated, meaning 'imperial' or 'emperor'.

523: 皮

skin, hide, fur, outer

C J K

皮皮皮

pí ひ (hi) 피 /pɪ/

皮 5

① 皮革: pí gé ① 皮革: ひかく ① 皮革: 피 혁

② 皮肤: pí fū ② 皮膚: ひふ ② 皮膚: 피 부

③ 皮相: pí xiàng ③ 皮相: ひそう ③ 皮相: 피 상

① leather, hides ② skin, flesh ③ superficial, shallow, skin deep

A pictogram depicting the 'hand (又)' removing snakeskin, meaning 'skin' or 'fur'.

524: 益

profit, benefit, add to

C J K

益益益

yì えき (eki) 익 /ɪɡ/

皿 10

① 有益: yǒuyì ① 有益: ゆうえき ① 有益: 유익

② 利益: lì yì ② 利益: りえき ② 利益: 이익

③ 益寿: yìshòu ④ 差益: さえき ④ 差益: 차익

① useful, beneficial ② benefit, profit, gain ③ extend life, live a long time ④ marginal profits, marginal gain

A compound ideogram combining 'water (氺)' and 'container (皿)', depicting water overflowing from a vessel, coming to mean 'profit' or 'benefit'.

525: 盛

abundant, flourishing, rich, fill

C J K

盛盛盛

s[[hèng せい (sei)/はん (han) 성 /sə ŋ/

皿 11

① 繁盛: fán s[[hèng ① 繁盛: はんじょう ① 繁盛: 번성

② 昌盛: chāng s[[hèng ③ 盛者: せいじゃ ② 昌盛: 창성

④ 盛衰: s[[hèngshuāi ④ 盛衰: せいすい ④ 盛衰: 성쇠

① thriving, flourishing ② prosperous, prosperity ③ prosperous person ④ the rise & fall, wax & wane, vicissitudes

A phono-semantic compound between the phonetic 'fill (成)' and semantic 'container (皿)', meaning 'fill' whole a vessel with sacrificial offerings and serve the ancestors.

526: 盡

exhaust, use up, deplete

C J K

尽尽盡

jǐn じん (jin) 진 /dʒ ɪn/

尸 6

皿 14

① 尽力: jìn lì ① 尽力: じんりょく ① 盡力: 진 력

② 尽量: jǐn liàng ② 尽瘁: じんすい ② 極盡: 극 진

③ 尽心: jìn xīn ④ 自尽: じじん ③ 盡心: 진 심

① best efforts, exertion, endeavor ② give one's all, do one's best ③ sincerity, earnestness ④ suicide, take one's own life

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'charcoal brazier (皿)', and the phonetic and semantic components 'fire (灬)' and 'metal tongs (𦘒)', meaning 'do all' or 'done all', from the fact that work came to a standstill once the fire was exhausted.

527: 目

eye, see

C J K

目目目

mù もく (moku) 목 /mɔɡ/

目 5

① 目的: mù dì ① 目的: もくてき ① 目的: 목적

② 目次: mù cì ② 目次: もくじ ② 目次: 목 차

③ 目击: mù jī ③ 目撃: もくげき ③ 目擊: 목 격

① purpose, aim, goal, intention ② table of contents ③ witness, eye-witness

A pictogram originally more closely resembling the human eye, rotated vertically during the Regular Script period, meaning 'eye', 'see'.

528: 直

straight, vertical, continuous

C J K

直直直

zhí ちょく (choku) 직/치 /dʒ ɪɡ//tʃ ɪ/

目 8

① 垂直: chuí zhí ① 垂直: すいちょく ① 垂直: 수직

② 直说: zhí shuō ② 直説: ちょくせつ ② 直說: 직설

③ 直行: zhí xíng ④ 直行: ちょっこう ④ 直行: 직행

① vertical, perpendicular ② straight talk, candid, blunt ③ straight vertical line ④ non-stop, direct

A compound ideogram between 'ten (十)', 'eye (目)' and 'hidden (隱→乚)', originally meaning 'look directly', later coming to mean 'continuous', 'uninterrupted'.

529: 相

mutual, reciprocal, each other

C J K

相相相

xiāng そう (sou)/あい (ai) 상 /sʌ ŋ/

目 9

① 相对: xiāngduì ① 相対: あいたい ① 相對: 상 대

② 相互: xiāng hù ② 相互: そうご ② 相互: 상 호

③ 相关: xiāng guān ③ 相関: そうかん ③ 相關: 상 관

① the other, opponent, tête-à-tête ② mutual, reciprocal ③ inter-related, inter-connectedness, correlation

A compound ideogram combining 'tree (木)' and 'eye (目)', meaning 'face-to-face' or 'vis-à-vis', since the first thing one saw upon waking in the morning was a tree, and vice-versa.

530: 省

province, ministry, reflect

C J K

省省省

shěng / xǐng せい (sei)/しょう (shou) 성/생 /sə ŋ//seŋ/

目 9

① 省份: shěngfèn ③ 省内: しょうない -

② 省会: shěnghuì ④ 省営: しょうえい -

⑤ 省察: xǐngchá ⑤ 省察: せいさつ ⑤ 省察: 성찰

① province ② provincial capital ③ inter-departmental, inter-ministerial ④ government-managed, government-operated ⑤ introspection, reflection

A compound ideogram between 'small or young (少)' and 'eye (目)', meaning s[[train the eye or squint to 'observe closely'.

531: 看

look, see, examine, scrutinize

C J K

看看看

kàn かん (kan) 간 /ɡʌn/

目 9

① 看见: kàn jiàn ③ 看板: かんばん ③ 看板: 간 판

② 看法: kànfǎ ④ 看護: かんご ④ 看護: 간 호

⑤ 看做: kàn zuò - ⑤ 看做: 간 주

① see, look ② opinion, view ③ billboard, signboard ④ nursing ⑤ regard, deem, reckon

A compound ideogram combining 'hand (手)' and 'eye (目)', meaning shield the eyes from the sun with a hand to 'see' far off in the distance.

532: 眞

real, actual, true, genuine

C J K

真真眞

zhēn しん (shin) 진 /dʒ ɪn/

目 10

① 真理: zhēn lǐ ① 真理: しんり ① 眞理: 진 리

② 真实: zhēn shí ② 真実: しんじつ ② 眞實: 진 실

③ 真正: zhēn zhèng ③ 真正: しんせい ③ 眞正: 진 정

① truth ② true ③ genuine, authentic

A compound ideogram combining the past form of 'convert (匕→化)', 'eye (目)', the past form of 'conceal (∟→隱)', and the elliptical 'table (丌→八)', originally meaning a person who has reached nirvana, later coming to mean 'honest & true' from understanding.

533: 眠

sleep, hibernate

C J K

眠眠眠

mián みん (min) 면 /my ən/

目 10 目 10 目 10

① 睡眠: shuìmián ① 睡眠: すいみん ① 睡眠: 수 면

② 失眠: shīmián ② 不眠: ふみん ② 不眠: 불 면

③ 冬眠: dōngmián ③ 冬眠: とうみん ③ 冬眠: 동 면

① sleep ② sleeplessness, insomnia ③ hibernation, winter sleep

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'eye (目)' and phonetic 'people (民)', meaning 'sleep'. The phonetic component '民' is derived from '泯', meaning 'termination' or 'darkness'.

534: 眼

eye, look, open

C J K

眼眼眼

yǎn がん (gan) 안 /ʌn/

目 11

① 眼镜: yǎn jìng ① 眼鏡: がんきょう ① 眼鏡: 안 경

② 眼光: yǎn guāng ② 眼光: がんこう ② 眼目: 안 목

③ 眼科: yǎn kē ③ 眼科: がんか ③ 眼科: 안 과

① eyeglasses, spectacles ② discerning eye, appreciative eye, critical eye ③ eye doctor, optometry, ophthalmology

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'eye (目)' and the phonetic 'end (艮)', meaning 'eye' or 'look' or 'glance'. The phonetic component '艮' was chosen for having connotation to 'compare', since eyes blink together.

535: 着

wear, attach, move, apparent

C J K

着着着

zhe / zhuó ちゃく (chaku) 착 /tʃʌɡ/

目 11

目 12

① 着手: zhuó shǒu ① 着手: ちゃくしゅ ① 着手: 착수

② 着装: zhuózhuāng ② 着用: ちゃくよう ② 着用: 착용

③ 数着: shǔ zhe ④ 着陸: ちゃくりく ④ 着陸: 착륙

① set about, embark on, launch, undertake ② wear, put on, have on, fasten ③ tactical move ④ landing, touch down

A phono-semantic compound simplified from '著', between 'grass (艹)' and 'fellow (者)', meaning 'apparent' or 'highly visible', just as the common grass. Also means to 'wear' or 'fasten'.

536: 知

know, perceive, comprehend

C J K

知知知

zhī ち (chi) 지 /dʒ ɪ/

矢 8

① 知识: zhīshi ① 知識: ちしき ① 知識: 지 식

② 知道: zhī dào ③ 知性: ちせい ③ 知性: 지 성

④ 知人: zhī rén ⑤ 知人: ちじん ⑤ 知人: 지 인

① knowledge ② know, understand ③ intelligence ④ good judge of character ⑤ acquaintance, friend

A compound ideogram combining 'arrow (矢)' with 'mouth (口)', meaning 'to know' something, or the dissemination of information is done either through word of mouth or through arrows.

537: 短

short, brief, deficient, lacking

C J K

短短短

duǎn たん (tan) 단 /dʌn/

矢 12

① 短期: duǎnqī ① 短期: たんき ① 短期: 단 기

② 缩短: suōduǎn ② 短縮: たんしゅく ② 短縮: 단축

③ 短处: duǎnchu ③ 短所: たんしょ ③ 短點: 단 점

① short term, short period ② shorten, reduce ③ weakness, flaw, shortcoming

A compound ideogram between 'arrow (矢)' and 'beans (豆)', meaning 'short“, because the shortest vertical measure was the arrow and the shortest horizontal measure was a bean.

538: 石

stone, rock

C J K

石石石

shí せき (seki) 석 /səɡ/

石 5

① 石头: shí tou ② 石工: せっこう ② 石工: 석공

③ 石炭: shí tàn ③ 石炭: せきたん ③ 石炭: 석탄

④ 宝石: bǎo shí ④ 宝石: ほうせき ④ 寶石: 보석

① stone, rock ② mason, stone dresser ③ coal (Mandarin: 煤: méi) ④ jewel, gem, precious stone

A pictogram from an oracle bone inscription depicting riverside shingles and pebbles in the form of a stone (口) beneath a cliff (厂→丆).

539: 破

break, ruin, rout

C J K

破破破

pò は (ha) 파 /pʌ/

石 10

① 破坏: pò huài ① 破壊: はかい ① 破壞: 파괴

② 破产: pò chǎn ② 破産: はさん ② 破產: 파 산

- ③ 破片: はへん ③ 破片: 파 편

① destruction, shatter ② bankruptcy, insolvency ③ fragment, splinter, shrapnel

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'stone (石)' and the phonetic 'leather (皮)', meaning 'break' a stone much like an animal is skinned of its hide.

540: 研

grind, study, research, refine

C J K

研研硏

yán けん (ken) 연 /yən/

石 9

石 11

① 研究: yánjiū ① 研究: けんきゅう ① 硏究: 연구

② 研磨: yánmó ② 研磨: けんま ② 硏磨: 연마

③ 研修: yánxiū ③ 研修: けんしゅう ③ 硏修: 연수

① research, study, investigate ② grind, polish, sand down ③ induction course, training

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'stone (石)' and the phonetic 'level (幵)', meaning 'grind' an object down with a stone to equal height.

541: 示

show, manifest, indicate

C J K

示示示

shì し (shi)/じ (ji) 시 /sɪ/

示 5

① 表示: biǎo shì ① 表示: ひょうじ ① 表示: 표 시

② 展示: zhǎn shì ② 展示: てんじ ② 展示: 전 시

③ 提示: tí shì ③ 提示: ていじ ③ 提示: 제 시

① indicate, gesture, display ② exhibition, display, reveal ③ suggest, propose, present

A pictogram meaning 'visible', originally depicting a wooden or stone-cut spirit or ancestor tablet before transforming with two horizontal strokes meaning everything under heaven, and three vertical strokes representing sunlight, moon light, and starlight.

542: 祖

ancestor, forefather, grand father

C J K

祖祖祖

zǔ そ (so) 조 /dʒ ɔ/

⺭ 9

示 10

① 祖上: zǔ shàng ① 祖先: そせん ① 祖上: 조 상

② 祖父: zǔ fù ② 祖父: そふ ② 祖父: 조 부

③ 祖母: zǔmǔ ③ 祖母: そぼ ③ 祖母: 조모

① ancestors, forefathers ② grand father ③ grand mother

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'indicate (礻↔示)' and the phonetic 'tray (且)' used in ancestral offerings, but originally a pictogram that added 'visible (示)', which implies shrine, to 'phallus (且)', which symbolizes posterity, to beget ancestor.

543: 祝

incantation, wish, felicitation, celebration

C J K

祝祝祝

zhù しゅく (shuku) 축 /tʃuɡ/

⺭ 9

示 10

① 祝贺: zhù hè ① 祝賀: しゅくが ① 祝賀: 축하

② 祝福: zhù fú ② 祝福: しゅくふく ② 祝福: 축복

③ 祝词: zhù cí ④ 祝日:しゅくじつ ③ 祝辭: 축사

① congratulations, celebration ② blessing, wish luck, benediction ③ congratulatory address, celebratory speech ④ national holiday

A compound ideogram between 'indicate (礻)', 'mouth (口)', and 'underling (儿)', meaning a person verbally appeals to the spirits with their hopes and dreams.

544: 神

spirit, god, supernatural being, mind

C J K

神神神

shén しん (shin) 신 /sɪn/

⺭ 9

示 10

① 神经: shénjīng ① 神経: しんけい ① 神經: 신 경

② 神话: shénhuà ② 神話: しんわ ② 神話: 신 화

③ 神秘: shénmì ③ 神秘: しんぴ ③ 神秘: 신 비

① nerve, nervous (system), sensitivity ② mythology, legend ③ mysterious, mystery, mystic

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'indicate (礻)' and the phonetic 'spread (申)', but originally combined with 'indicate' and 'thunder' or 'thunderbolt', coming to mean 'supernatural being'.

545: 祭

offer sacrifice, worship

C J K

祭祭祭

jì さい (sai) 제 /dʒe/

示 11

① 祭祀: jì sì ① 祭祀: さいし ① 祭祀: 제 사

② 祭礼: jì lǐ ② 祭礼: さいれい ② 祭禮: 제례

③ 祭坛: jì tán ③ 祭壇: さいだん ③ 祭壇: 제 단

① sacrifice, sacrificial rites ② ritual ceremony, sacrificial festival ③ sacrificial altar, altar

A compound ideogram combining 'meat (⺼)', 'right-hand (又)', and 'indicate (示)', meaning offer sacrificial food to the supernatural beings with the hand.

546: 禁

restrict, prohibit, forbid

C J K

禁禁禁

jīn きん (kin) 금 /ɡɜm/

示 13

① 禁止: jìn zhǐ ① 禁止: きんし ① 禁止: 금 지

② 禁忌: jìn jì ② 禁忌: きんき ② 禁忌: 금 기

③ 禁烟: jìn yān ③ 禁煙: きんえん ③ 禁煙: 금연

① forbidden, prohibited, ban ② taboo, avoid, abstain ③ smoking ban, opium smoking prohibition

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'grove (林)' and the phonetic 'indicate (示)', originally meaning it is 'taboo' to worship deities in the dense groves, later coming to mean 'prohibited' or 'restrict'.

547: 福

blessing, happiness, good fortune

C J K

福福福

fú ふく (fuku) 복 /bɔɡ/

⺭ 13

示 14

① 福音: fú yīn ① 福音: ふくいん ① 福音: 복음

② 福利: fú lì ② 福祉: ふくし ② 福祉: 복 지

③ 福祉: fú zhǐ ④ 福引: ふくびき ④ 福券: 복 권

① good news, Gospel ② welfare, social security ③ happiness ④ lottery, raffle ticket

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'indicate (礻)' and the phonetic 'full wine jar vessel (畐)', meaning be blessed with 'good fortune' by offering spirits to the gods.

548: 禮

etiquette, courtesy, decorum

C J K

礼礼禮

lǐ れい (rei) / らい (rai) 례/예 /re//ye/

⺭ 5

示 18

① 礼记: lǐ jì ① 礼記: らいき ① 禮記: 예 기

② 礼节: lǐ jié

② 礼節: れいせつ ② 禮節: 예 절

③ 礼仪: lǐ yí ③ 礼儀: れいぎ ③ 禮儀: 예 의

① The Book of Rites, Classic of Rites ② decency, respect, courtesy ③ etiquette, manners, politeness

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'indicate (礻↔示)' and phonetic 'cordial (豊)', meaning holding sacrificial ceremonies is an austere occasion that demands the 'decorum' it deserves.

549: 秀

outstanding, exceptional, brilliant

C J K

秀秀秀

xiù しゅう (shuu) 수 /su/

禾 7

① 优秀: yōu xiù ① 優秀: ゆうしゅう ① 優秀: 우 수

② 秀才: xiùcai ③ 秀才: しゅうさい ④ 秀才: 수 재

⑤ 秀丽: xiù lì - -

① excellence, outstanding ② scholar ③ prodigy ④ genius ⑤ beautiful

A compound ideogram between a plant 'stalk (禾)' and a possessive particle 'be (乃)', meaning 'prominent', but originally a pictogram of a person holding an ear of grain.

550: 私

private, personal

C J K

私私私

sī し (shi) 사 /sʌ/

禾 7

① 公私: gōng sī ① 公私: こうし ① 公私: 공 사

② 私有: sī yǒu ② 私有: しゆう ② 私有: 사 유

③ 私情: sī qíng ③ 私情: しじょう ③ 私情: 사 정

① public & private ② private ownership, private property ③ personal reason, personal matter

A simple ideogram meaning 'private', the opposite of 'public (公)'. When 厶 came to be used as a radical only, the grain 'stalk (禾)' was added because all grain was ultimately for personal consumption, and therefore private gain.

551: 秋

fall, autumn

C J K

秋秋秋

qiū しゅう (shuu) 추 /tʃu/

禾 9

① 秋季: qiūjì ① 秋季: しゅうき ① 秋季: 추계

② 秋分: qiūfēn ② 秋分: しゅうぶん ② 秋分: 추분

③ 中秋: zhōngqiū ③ 中秋: ちゅうしゅう ③ 仲秋: 중추

① fall, autumn ② fall equinox ③ mid-autumn, lunar August 15

A compound ideogram combining 'stalk (禾)' with 'fire (火)', meaning 'autumn'. Though all resemblance has since been lost, derived from an oracle bone inscription depicting a grasshopper over a fire for consumption in the fall.

552: 科

section, department, class

C J K

科科科

kē か (ka) 과 /ɡɒʌ/

禾 9

① 科学: kē xué ① 科学: かがく ① 科學: 과 학

② 文科: wén kē ② 文科: ぶんか ② 文科: 문 과

③ 理科: lǐ kē ③ 理科: りか ③ 理科: 이 과

① science ② liberal arts, the humanities, soft science ③ natural sciences, hard science

A compound ideogram between 'stalk (禾)' and 'mesh (斗)', originally meaning pan the grain as to sort and grade it, coming to mean 'class' or 'section'.

553: 移

change, shift, alter, transmit

C J K

移移移

yí い (i) 이 /ɪ/

禾 11

① 移动: yí dòng ① 移動: いどう ① 移動: 이 동

② 移民: yí mín ② 移民: いみん ② 移民: 이 민

③ 转移: zhuǎn yí ③ 転移: てんい ③ 轉移: 전 이

① move, movement, mobile ② emigrate, immigrate ③ metastasis, transition, transfer, change (with the times)

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'stalk (禾)' and the phonetic 'many (多)', meaning 'change'.

554: 稅

tax, levy, duty

C J K

税税稅

shuì ぜい (zei) 세 /se/

禾 12

① 税款: shuìkuǎn ① 税金: ぜいきん ① 稅金: 세 금

② 免税: miǎnshuì ② 免税: めんぜい ② 免稅: 면 세

③ 税务: shuì wù ③ 税務: ぜいむ ③ 稅務: 세 무

① tax, levy, duty ② duty free, tax exemption ③ tax affairs, taxation business, customs

A phono-semantic compound combining the semantic 'stalk (禾)' with the phonetic 'happy (兌)', meaning 'taxes' that were collected in the form of grain, which went to feed the troops and other enlisted men, made them happy.

555: 種

seed, breed, to plant

C J K

种種種

zhǒng しゅ (shu) 종 /dʒ ɔ ŋ/

禾 9

禾 14

① 种类: zhǒnglèi ① 種類: しゅるい ① 種類: 종 류

② 种子: zhǒngzi ② 種子: しゅし ② 種子: 종 자

③ 种族: zhǒngzú ③ 人種: じんしゅ ③ 人種: 인 종

① type, kind, breed, species, class, category ② seed, pit ③ race, ethnic group

A phono-semantic compound between 'the semantic stalk (禾)' and the phonetic 'heavy (重)', originally meaning a certain cereal breed that is planted early but is late to mature, later coming to mean 'plant grains' or 'seed'.

556: 穀

grain, cereal

C J K

谷穀穀

gǔ こく (koku) 곡 /ɡɔɡ/

谷 7

禾 14

禾 15

① 谷物: gǔ wù ① 穀物: こくもつ ① 穀物: 곡물

② 谷仓: gǔcāng ② 穀倉: こくそう ② 穀倉: 곡창

③ 五谷: wú gǔ ③ 五穀: ごこく ③ 五穀: 오 곡

① grain, cereal ② granary, barn, grain elevator ③ crops, the Five Grains of Confucius: sorghum, hemp, millet, soybean, barley

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic grain 'stalk (禾)' and the phonetic 'husk (殼)', meaning all 'cereals' are covered in casings.

557: 究

examine, investigate, study

C J K

究究究

jiū きゅう (kyuu) 구 /ɡu/

穴 7

① 研究: yánjiū ① 研究: けんきゅう ① 硏究: 연구

② 探究: tànjiū ② 探究: たんきゅう ② 探究: 탐구

① research, study, investigate ② search, probe, inquiry

A phono-semantic compound combining the semantic 'cave (穴)' and the phonetic number 'nine (九)', meaning 'examine' to the furthest and deepest recesses, with the number nine representing the largest possible single digit number.

558: 空

empty, hollow, void, bare

C J K

空空空

kōng くう (kuu) 공 /ɡɔ ŋ/

穴 8

① 空气: kōngqì ① 空気: くうき ① 空氣: 공 기

② 空港: kōnggǎng ② 空港: くうこう ② 空港: 공 항

③ 航空: hángkōng ③ 航空: こうくう ③ 航空: 항 공

① air, atmosphere ② airport ③ flying, aviation

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'hole (穴)' and the phonetic 'work (工)', meaning an excavated ditch is 'empty'.

559: 窗

window

C J K

窗窓窓

chuāng そう (sou)/まど (mado) 창 /tʃʌŋ/

穴 12

穴 11

① 窗户: chuānghu ① 窓: まど ① 窓門: 창문

② 同窗: tóngchuāng ③ 同窓: どうそう ② 同窓: 동창

④ 铁窗: tiěchuāng ④ 鉄窓: てっそう ④ 鐵窓: 철창

① window ② schoolmate, fellow student ③ same school ④ iron-grilled window, prison

A phono-semantic compound combining the semantic 'crevice (穴)' with the phonetic 'busy (悤)' meaning a hole in the wall that brings in light is a 'window'. The character's changes are: 囱→窗→窓.

560: 立

stand, build, establish

C J K

立立立

lì りつ (ritsu)/たち (dachi) 립/입 /rɪb//ɪb/

立 5

① 立场: lì chǎng ① 立場: たちば ① 立場: 입 장

② 公立: gōng lì ② 公立: こうりつ ② 公立: 공립

③ 私立: sī lì ③ 私立: しりつ ③ 私立: 사립

① standpoint, viewpoint, position ② public institution ③ private institution

A pictogram originally depicting a person standing on the ground with legs apart, adopting the current form during the Regular Script period, meaning 'stand'.

561: 章

chapter, section, written piece

C J K

章章章

zhāng しょう (shou) 장 /dʒʌŋ/

立 11

① 章句: zhāng jù ① 章句: しょうく ① 章句: 장 구

② 图章: tú zhāng ② 印章: いんしょう ② 圖章: 도 장

③ 文章: wén zhāng ④ 文章: ぶんしょう ⑤ 文章: 문 장

① chapter & verse, sentences & phrases ② seal, stamp ③ essay ④ writing style ⑤ sentence, text string

A compound ideogram between 'sound (音)' and 'ten (十)', originally meaning 'coda' with ten representing the end of a musical composition, later coming to mean 'a piece of writing'.

562: 童

child, boy, servant

C J K

童童童

tóng どう (dou) 동 /dɔ ŋ/

立 12

① 童话: tónghuà ① 童話: どうわ ① 童話: 동 화

② 童真: tóngzhēn ② 童心: どうしん ② 童心: 동 신

③ 牧童: mù tóng ④ 童子: どうじ ④ 童子: 동 자

① fairy tale, children's stories ② innocence, naiveté ③ cow boy, shepherd boy ④ young boy, child, youngster

A phono-semantic compound combining the semantic 'bitter (辛)' and the phonetic 'heavy (重→里)', originally meaning a man who was made a slave for committing a crime, later coming to mean 'minor' or 'child'.

563: 端

end, limit

C J K

端端端

duān たん (tan) 단 /dʌn/

立 14

① 端正: duānzhèng ① 端正: たんせい ① 端正: 단 정

② 尖端: jiānduān ② 尖端: せんたん ② 尖端: 첨단

③ 异端: yìduān ③ 異端: いたん ③ 異端: 이 단

① upright, correct, noble ② tip, vanguard, advanced, cutting-edge ③ heresy, paganism, heterodoxy

A phono-semantic compound combining the semantic 'stand (立)' with the phonetic 'end (耑)', originally meaning the body is 'erect and upright', later coming to mean a straight budding sprout or 'limit' or 'end'.

564: 競

compete, contend, vie

C J K

竞競競

jìng きょう (kyou) 경 /ɡyə ŋ/

立 10

立 20

① 竞争: jìng zhēng ① 競争: きょうそう ① 競爭: 경쟁

② 竞价: jìng jià ② 競売: きょうばい ② 競賣: 경 매

③ 竞技: jìng jì ④ 競技: きょうぎ ④ 競技: 경 기

① compete, contend, rivalry ② bid, competitive auction ③ sports ④ match, game, contest

A compound ideogram between 'quarrel (誩)' and 'follow (从)', meaning two people saying different things or 'compete' or 'vie'.

565: 竹

bamboo

C J K

竹竹竹

zhú ちく (chiku)/たけ (take) 죽 /dʒuɡ/

竹 6

① 竹笛: zhúdí ① 竹笛: たけぶえ ① 竹笛: 죽적

② 竹竿: zhú gān ② 竹竿: たけざお ② 竹竿: 죽간

③ 竹马: zhúmǎ ③ 竹馬: ちくば ③ 竹馬: 죽마

① bamboo flute ② bamboo pole ③ stilts, hobbyhorse

A pictogram from bronze vessel inscriptions depicting bamboo leaves, adopting the current form during the Regular Script period.

566: 笑

smile, laugh

C J K

笑笑笑

xiào しょう (shou) 소 /sɔ/

⺮ 10

① 微笑: wēi xiào ① 微笑: びしょう ① 微笑: 미 소

② 冷笑: lěngxiào ② 冷笑: れいしょう ② 冷笑: 냉소

③ 嘲笑: cháo xiào ③ 嘲笑: ちょうしょう ③ 嘲笑: 조 소

① smile ② sarcastic smile, derisive smile ③ ridicule, laugh at

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'bamboo (竹→⺮)' and the phonetic 'leaning (夭)', meaning the wind-bent bamboo plant resembles a 'smile'.

567: 第

order, sequence

C J K

第第第

dì だい (dai) 제 /dʒe/

⺮ 11

① 第[]一: dì yī ① 第[]一: だいいち ① 第[]一: 제 일

② 登第: dēngdì ③ 及第: きゅうだい ③ 及第: 등제

④ 落第: luòdì ④ 落第: らくだい ④ 落第: 낙제

① primary, first, number one ② pass the imperial exam ③ pass an exam ④ fail an exam, failure

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'bamboo (⺮)' and the phonetic 'younger brother (弟→弔)', meaning there is a 'sequence' in the binding of written bamboo strips.

568: 筆

brush, pencil

C J K

笔筆筆

bǐ ひつ (hitsu) 필 /pɪl/

⺮ 10

⺮ 12

① 笔迹: bǐ jì ① 自筆: じひつ ① 筆體: 필체

② 铅笔: qiān bǐ ② 鉛筆: えんぴつ ② 鉛筆: 연필

③ 笔画: bǐ huà ④ 隨筆: ずいひつ ④ 隨筆: 수 필

① handwriting ② pencil ③ brush stroke ④ essays, literary notes

A compound ideogram combining 'bamboo (⺮)' with 'brush (聿)' as the bamboo plant began to be transplanted into the area north of the Yellow River during the Yin or Shang Dynasty between 1766 BC to 1122 BC.

569: 等

rank, grade, same, group

C J K

等等等

děng とう (tou) 등 /dɜŋ/

⺮ 12

① 等级: děngjí ① 等級: とうきゅう ① 等級: 등급

② 平等: píngděng ② 平等: びょうどう ② 平等: 평등

③ 等分: děngfēn ③ 等分: とうぶん ③ 等分: 등분

① grade, class, magnitude ② equality, parity, impartiality ③ divide equally

A compound ideogram between 'bamboo (⺮)' and 'bureau (寺)', originally meaning organize the 'same' written bamboo strips together, later coming to mean 'group', 'rank', or 'grade'.

570: 答

answer, reply

C J K

答答答

dá とう (tou) 답 /dʌb/

⺮ 12

① 答辩: dá biàn ① 答弁: とうべん ① 答辯: 답변

② 问答: wèn dá ② 問答: もんどう ② 問答: 문답

③ 答案: dáàn ④ 誤答: ごとう ④ 誤答: 오답

① respond, reply ② question & answer, Q&A, dialogue ③ answer, response ④ wrong answer, error

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'bamboo (⺮)' and the phonetic 'combine (合)', originally meaning 'to tie a fence with bamboo strips', later coming to mean 'answer' or 'reply'.

571: 算

count, calculate, figure, plan

C J K

算算算

suàn さん (san) 산 /sʌn/

⺮ 14

① 算数: suàn shù ① 算数: さんすう ① 算數: 산 수

② 预算: yù suàn ② 予算: よさん ② 豫算: 예 산

③ 算盘: suànpán ③ 算盤: そろばん ④ 推算: 추산

① arithmetic, counting ② budget ③ abacus ④ estimate

A compound ideogram between 'bamboo (⺮)' and 'have (具)', meaning 'count' with strips of bamboo in hand.

572: 節

node, joint, section

C J K

节節節

jiē せつ (setsu)/ふし (fushi) 절 /dʒ əl/

艹 5

⺮ 13

⺮ 14

① 节约: jié yuē ① 節約: せつやく ① 節約: 절약

② 节减: jié jiǎn ② 節減: せつげん ② 節減: 절 감

③ 节日: jiérì ④ 節目: ふしめ ⑤ 節次: 절 차

① economize, save ② reduce, curtail, retrench ③ festival, holiday ④ critical point, turning point ⑤ protocol, procedure, formality

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'bamboo (⺮)' and the phonetic 'promptly (即↔卽)', meaning bamboo grows 'nodes' as they grow. The character has also taken on the meaning of 'season' and 'burglary'.

573: 米

husked rice

C J K

米米米

mǐ まい (mai) 미 /mɪ/

米 6

① 白米: báimǐ ① 白米: はくまい ① 白米: 백미

② 糙米: cāomǐ ② 玄米: げんまい ② 玄米: 현 미

③ 糯米: nuòmǐ ④ 米国: べいこく ③ 糯米: 나 미

① white rice, husked rice ② brown rice, unhusked rice ③ sticky rice, glutinous rice ④ U.S.A.

A pictogram from oracle bone inscriptions depicting grains of rice, adopting the current form during the Regular Script period, which ended around the 7th century.

574: 精

energy, essence, spirit, semen

C J K

精精精

jīng せい (sei) / しょう (shou) 정 /dʒ ə ŋ/

米 14

① 精神: jīngshén ① 精神: せいしん ① 精神: 정 신

② 精力: jīng lì ② 精力: せいりょく ② 精力: 정 력

③ 精进: jīng jìn ③ 精進: しょうじん ③ 精進: 정 진

① mind, spirit, soul ② energy, vitality, vigor ③ applying oneself, devotion, diligence, concentration

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'rice (米)' and the phonetic 'cyan (青↔靑)', originally meaning 'select high-grade rice', later coming to mean 'hull rice', then 'human spirit'.

575: 約

promise, agreement, treaty

C J K

约約約

yuē やく (yaku) 약 /yʌɡ/

纟 6

糸 9

① 约会: yuē huì ① 約束: やくそく ① 約束: 약속

② 婚约: hūn yuē ② 婚約: こんやく ② 約婚: 약혼

③ 约定: yuē dìng ③ 約定: やくじょう ③ 約定: 약정

① promise, appointment, date ② marriage engagement, marriage contract, betrothal ③ contract, agreement

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'yarn (糹↔ 糸)' and the phonetic 'scoop (勺)', originally meaning 'tie up a person with rope', later coming to mean 'promise' or 'agreement'.

576: 紅

red, crimson, vermillion

C J K

红紅紅

hóng こう (kou) 홍 /hɔ ŋ/

纟 6

糸 9

① 红茶: hóngchá ① 紅茶: こうちゃ ① 紅茶: 홍 차

② 红参: hóng shēn ③ 紅海: こうかい ② 紅蔘: 홍 삼

③ 红海: hóng hǎi ④ 紅山: こうさん ③ 紅海: 홍 해

① black tea ② red ginseng ③ the Red Sea ④ Red Mountain (in reference to Hongshan Culture: 紅山文化)

A phono-semantic compound combining the semantic 'yarn (糹)' with the phonetic 'craftsman (工)', originally meaning 'red silk', later coming to mean just the color 'red'.

577: 純

pure, clean

C J K

纯純純

chún じゅん (jun) 순 /sun/

纟 7

糸 10

① 纯粹: chúncuì ① 純粋: じゅんすい ① 純粹: 순 수

② 纯洁: chún jié ② 純潔: じゅんけつ ② 純潔: 순 결

③ 纯益: chún yì ③ 純益: じゅんえき ③ 純益: 순익

① pure, genuine ② purity, virginal ③ net profit, net income

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'yarn (⺯)' and the phonetic 'gather (屯)', originally meaning 'high-grade yarn', later coming to mean 'pure'.

578: 紙

paper

C J K

纸紙紙

zhǐ し (shi) 지 /dʒ ɪ/

纟 7

糸 10

① 纸张: zhǐ zhāng ② 紙幣: しへい ② 紙弊: 지 폐

② 纸币: zhǐ bì ③ 鼻紙: はながみ ③ 休紙: 휴 지

④ 报纸: bào zhǐ ⑤ 手紙: てがみ ⑤ 便紙: 편 지

① paper ② bank notes, paper money, bills ③ tissue paper, paper tissue ④ news paper ⑤ letter

A phono-semantic compound combining the semantic 'yarn (⺯)' with the phonetic 'root (氏)', coming to mean 'paper' from the past practice of seething into paper old worn clothes made of hemp.

579: 素

white, plain

C J K

素素素

sù そ (so) 소 /sɔ/

糸 10

① 素材: sùcái ① 素材: そざい ① 素材: 소 재

② 元素: yuán sù ② 元素: げんそ ② 元素: 원 소

③ 素常: sùcháng ③ 平素: へいそ ③ 平素: 평 소

① raw material, raw data ② chemical element, an element ③ ordinarily, usually

A compound ideogram between the semantic 'yarn (⺯)' and the phonetic 'hang down (垂→龶)', originally meaning 'fine white silk', later coming to mean 'white', 'plain' or 'unsophisticated'.

580: 細

thin, fine, slender

C J K

细細細

xì さい (sai) 세 /se/

纟 8

糸 11

① 细密: xì mì ① 細密: さいみつ ① 細密: 세밀

② 细胞: xì bāo ② 細胞: さいぼう ② 細胞: 세 포

③ 细菌: xì jūn ③ 細菌: さいきん ③ 細菌: 세 균

① detailed, elaborate, minute ② biological cell ③ bacteria, germ

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'yarn (⺯)' and the phonetic 'skull (囟→田)', originally referring to the fineness of a baby's vertex or crown of the head, later coming to mean 'slender' or 'fine'. The 'skull' was changed to 'field' during the Clerkly Script period.

581: 終

end, final

C J K

终終終

zhōng しゅう (shuu) 종 /dʒ ɔ ŋ/

纟 8

糸 11

① 终了: zhōngliǎo ① 終了: しゅうりょう ① 終了: 종료

② 终局: zhōng jú ② 終局: しゅうきょく ② 終局: 종 국

③ 始终: shǐ zhōng ③ 始終: しじゅう ③ 始終: 시 종

① end, expiration, close ② conclusion, denouement, finale ③ start to finish, continuous, alpha & omega

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'yarn (⺯)' and the phonetic 'winter (冬)', originally meaning the end of a yarn, the last season of the year, then with the addition of ⺯to 冬, simply 'end'.

582: 結

knot, tie, join

C J K

结結結

jié / jiē けつ (ketsu) 결 /ɡyəl/

纟 9

糸 12

① 结果: jié guǒ ① 結果: けっか ① 結果: 결 과

② 结论: jiélùn ② 結論: けつろん ② 結論: 결론

③ 结合: jié hé ③ 結合: けつごう ③ 結合: 결 합

① result, outcome, consequence ② conclusion ③ combine, union, join

A phono-semantic compound between 'yarn (糹)' and 'auspicious' (吉), meaning 'knot' or good agreements are cemented like strong yarn is well spun.

583: 絕

cut, sever

C J K

绝絶絶

jué ぜつ (zetsu) 절 /dʒ əl/

纟 9

糸 12

① 绝对: juéduì ① 絶対: ぜったい ① 絶對: 절 대

② 绝望: jué wàng ② 絶望: ぜつぼう ② 絶望: 절 망

③ 绝交: jué jiāo ③ 絶交: ぜっこう ③ 絶交: 절 교

① absolute, unconditional ② despair, hopelessness ③ break ties, end relations

A compound ideogram meaning 'sever', where the 'knot (巴)' of a 'yarn (糹)' is cut with a 'knife (刀↔⺈)'.

584: 給

give, by, for

C J K

给給給

gěi/jǐ きゅう (kyuu) 급 /ɡɜb/

纟 9

糸 12

① 给予: jǐ yǔ ① 支給: しきゅう ① 支給: 지 급

- ② 需給: じゅきゅう ② 需給: 수 급

③ 供给: gōng jǐ ③ 供給: きょうきゅう ③ 供給: 공 급

① give, provide, pay ② demand & supply ③ supply

A phono-semantic compound combining the semantic 'yarn (糹)' with the phonetic 'combine (合)', meaning make things become enough 'by' uniting and joining those which are insufficient.

585: 統

govern, command, control, unite

C J K

统統統

tǒng とう (tou) 통 /tɔ ŋ/

纟 9

糸 12

① 统治: tǒng zhì ① 統治: とうち ① 統治: 통 치

② 统计: tǒng jì ② 統計: とうけい ② 統計: 통 계

③ 统[]一: tǒng yī ③ 統[]一: とういつ ③ 統[]一: 통 일

① rule, govern, dominate ② statistics ③ unification, consolidation

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'yarn (糹)' and the phonetic 'fill (充)', coming to mean 'control', derived from having to spin raw silk from a host of cocoons.

586: 經

classical text, scripture, sutra, pass through

C J K

经経經

jīng けい (kei) 경 /ɡyə ŋ/

纟 8

糸 11

糸 13

① 经济: jīng jì ① 経済: けいざい ① 經濟: 경 제

② 经验: jīng yàn ② 経験: けいけん ② 經驗: 경 험

③ 经书: jīngshū ③ 経書: けいしょ ③ 經書: 경 서

① economy ② experience ③ classic Confucian texts, Chinese classics

A phono-semantic compound combining the semantic 'yarn (糹)' with the phonetic 'water current (巠)', originally meaning extended cotton thread used in weaving, later coming to mean 'pass through' or 'sutra'.

587: 綠

green, blue

C J K

绿緑綠

lǜ りょく (ryoku) 록/녹 /rɔɡ//nɔɡ/

纟 11

糸 14

① 绿茶: lǜchá ① 緑茶: りょくちゃ ① 綠茶: 녹차

② 绿豆: lǜdòu ② 緑豆: りょくとう ② 綠豆: 녹두

③ 绿色: lǜsè ③ 緑色: りょくしょく ③ 綠色: 녹색

① green tea ② mung beans ③ green, verdure

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'yarn (糹)' and the phonetic 'carve wood (彔)', originally meaning indigo-dyed silk, later coming to mean 'blue' or 'green'.

588: 線

line, thread

C J K

线線線

xiàn せん (sen) 선 /sən/

纟 8

糸 15

① 直线: zhí xiàn ① 直線: ちょくせん ① 直線: 직선

② 视线: shì xiàn ② 視線: しせん ② 視線: 시 선

③ 光线: guāng xiàn ③ 光線: こうせん ③ 光線: 광 선

① straight line ② line of vision, gaze, glance ③ ray, beam

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'yarn (糹)' and the phonetic 'fountain (泉)', meaning a 'line' thread continues without end, like spring water.

589: 練

practice, train

C J K

练練練

liàn れん (ren) 련/연 /ryən//yən/

纟 8

糸 14

糸 15

① 练习: liàn xí ① 練習: れんしゅう ① 練習: 연습

② 修炼: xiū liàn ② 修練: しゅうれん ② 修練: 수 련

③ 熟练: shú liàn ④ 未練: みれん ④ 未練: 미 련

① practice, exercise ② cultivate, discipline ③ skilled, adept ④ lingering affection, attachment, reluctance to let go

A phono-semantic compound combining the semantic 'yarn (糹)' with the phonetic 'select (柬)', meaning 'practice' seething cocoons to spin silk.

590: 續

continue, linked, joined

C J K

续続續

xù ぞく (zoku) 속 /sɔɡ/

纟 11

糸 13

糸 21

① 继续: jì xù ① 継続: けいぞく ① 繼續: 계 속

② 接续: jiē xù ② 接続: せつぞく ② 接續: 접속

③ 手续: shǒu xù ④ 相続: そうぞく ④ 相續: 상 속

① continuance, uninterrupted ② connection, link ③ protocol, procedure, formalities ④ inheritance, succession

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'yarn (糹)' and the phonetic 'sell (賣)', meaning ceaselessly 'continue', much like a peddler or a merchant who exhorts passer-byes or consumers.

591: 罪

crime, sin, vice

C J K

罪罪罪

zuì ざい (zai) 죄 /dʒɒe/

罒 13

① 犯罪: fànzuì ① 犯罪: はんざい ① 犯罪: 범죄

② 死罪: sǐ zuì ② 死罪: しざい ② 死罪: 사죄

③ 罪人: zuì rén ③ 罪人: ざいにん ③ 罪人: 죄인

① crime, criminal act ② capital crime, capital offense ③ sinner, offender

A compound ideogram combining 'net (罒)' with 'naught (非)', originally meaning 'fishing net', but coming to mean 'crime' from the protestation of Qin Shi Huang (秦始皇) that crime '辠' (自 nose + 辛 needle) too closely resembled '皇 emperor'.

592: 羊

sheep, goat

C J K

羊羊羊

yáng よう (you) 양 /yʌŋ/

羊 6

Vocab�ulary

① 羊皮: yángpí ① 羊皮: ようひ ① 羊皮: 양피

② 羊毛: yángmáo ② 羊毛: ようもう ② 羊毛: 양모

③ 羊肉: yángròu ③ 羊肉: ようにく ③ 羊肉: 양육

① sheepskin, fleece ② wool ③ mutton, lamb meat

A pictogram depicting the front view of a sheep, coming to take on the current form during the Regular Script period.

593: 美

beautiful, pretty

C J K

美美美

měi び (bi) 미 /mɪ/

⺷ 9

① 美国: měiguó ② 美術: びじゅつ ① 美國: 미 국

② 美术: měishù ③ 美容: びよう ② 美術: 미 술

③ 美容: měiróng ④ 美人: びじん ③ 美容: 미 용

① U.S.A. ② fine arts, painting ③ beautification ④ beautiful woman

A compound ideogram combining 'sheep (羊→𦍌)' with 'large (大)', originally meaning lamb is the most 'savory' meat even when fully mature, later coming to mean 'beautiful'.

594: 義

right, righteous, meaning

C J K

义義義

yì ぎ (gi) 의 /ɜɪ/

丶 3

⺷ 13

① 意义: yì yì ① 意義: いぎ ① 意義: 의 의

② 义理: yì lǐ ② 義理: ぎり ② 義理: 의 리

③ 主义: zhǔ yì ③ 主義: しゅぎ ③ 主義: 주 의

① meaning, significance ② obligation, duty, loyalty ③ -ism, doctrine, principle

A compound ideogram combining 'sheep (𦍌)' and 'spear (我)', originally meaning it is right to make offerings of 'sacrifice', later coming to mean 'right'. Later, 'cow (牛)' was added to mean sacrifice (犠).

595: 習

learn, practice, habit

C J K

习習習

xí しゅう (shuu) 습 /sɜb/

冫 3

羽 11

① 习惯: xíguàn ① 習慣: しゅうかん ① 習慣: 습관

② 习俗: xí sú ② 慣習: かんしゅう ② 慣習: 관습

③ 学习: xué xí ③ 学習: がくしゅう ③ 學習: 학습

① habit ② custom ③ learn, study

A compound ideogram combining 'feathers (羽)' with 'day (日→白)', originally meaning 'learn daily without rest', later coming to mean 'habit' or 'practice'.

596: 老

old, aged

C J K

老老老

lǎo ろう (rou) 로/노 /rɔ//nɔ/

老 6

① 老人: lǎo rén ① 老人: ろうじん ① 老人: 노 인

② 老子: lǎo zǐ ② 老子: ろうし ② 老子: 노 자

③ 老师: lǎo shī ④ 長老: ちょうろう ⑤ 老鍊: 노 련

① senior citizen ② Lao Tzu, Lao-tse, Laozi ③ teacher ④ elder, presbyter ⑤ mature & experienced, old hand

A pictogram depicting a hunched but pious elder with long uncut hair holding a cane, meaning 'old' or 'aged'. Any cutting of hair was considered to be impious.

597: 考

study, test, examine, think

C J K

考考考

kǎo こう (kou) 고 /ɡɔ/

耂 6

① 考虑: kǎolǜ ① 考慮: こうりょ ① 考慮: 고려

② 考试: kǎoshì ③ 思考: しこう ② 考試: 고 시

③ 思考: sī kǎo ④ 考案: こうあん ③ 思考: 사 고

① consider, contemplate, ponder ② examination, test ③ thinking, consider, thought ④ plan, idea

A compound ideogram combining 'a hunched over figure with long hair (耂)' and 'elaborate (巧→丂)', a variant of 'old (老)', later coming to mean 'contemplate' or 'think'.

598: 者

person, he who, those who

C J K

者者者

zhě しゃ (sha)/もの (mono) 자 /dʒʌ/

耂 8

耂 9

① 强者: qiángzhě ① 強者: つわもの ① 强者: 강 자

② 弱者: ruòzhě ② 弱者: じゃくしゃ ② 弱者: 약자

③ 隐者: yǐnzhě ③ 隠者: いんじゃ ③ 隱者: 은자

① the strong ② the weak ③ the recluse, a hermit

Etymology various. A compound ideogram of either 'a hunched over figure with long hair (耂)' and 'white (白→日)' or a compound between a depiction of 'sugarcane' and 'sweet (甘)', which later came to mean 'person', a possessive marker used after a qualifier.

599: 耕

plow, cultivate

C J K

耕耕耕

gēng こう (kou) 경 /ɡyə ŋ/

耒 10

① 耕作: gēng zuò ① 耕作: こうさく ① 耕作: 경 작

② 耕地: gēng dì ② 耕地: こうち ② 耕地: 경 지

③ 农耕: nónggēng ③ 農耕: のうこう ③ 農耕: 농경

① farming, cultivation, tillage ② plow, till, farmland, arable land ③ agriculture, farming, husbandry

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'plow (耒)' and the phonetic 'well (井)', meaning 'cultivate' the land by plowing the fields in zigzag-fashion like in the shape of a well.

600: 耳

ear, hearing

C J K

耳耳耳

ěr じ (ji) 이 /ɪ/

耳 6

① 耳朵: ěrduo ② 耳目: じもく ② 耳目: 이 목

② 耳目: ěrmù ③ 耳順: じじゅん ③ 耳順: 이 순

③ 耳科: ěrkē ④ 耳科: じか ④ 耳科: 이 과

① ear ② ear & eye, information, public attention ③ sixty years old, sexagenarian ④ otology

A pictogram depicting the human ear, meaning 'ear', adopting the current form of the character during the Regular Script period.

601: 聖

sage, holy, sacred

C J K

圣聖聖

s[[hèng せい (sei) 성 /sə ŋ/

土 5

耳 13

① 圣人: s[[hèng rén ① 聖人: せいじん ① 聖人: 성 인

② 圣灵: s[[hèng líng ② 聖霊: せいれい ② 聖靈: 성령

⑤ 圣诞: s[[hèng dàn ③ 聖書: せいしょ ④ 聖典: 성 전

① saint, sage, holyman ② Holy Ghost, Holy Spirit, guardian angel, daemon, genius ③ scriptures, Bible ④ sacred texts, holy writs ⑤ Christmas

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'ear (耳)' and the phonetic 'appear (呈)', meaning a 'sage' or 'an enlightened and infinitely wise person' is one who knows everything upon simply hearing something.

602: 聞

hear, listen

C J K

闻聞聞

wén ぶん (bun) 문 /mun/

耳 9

耳 14

① 见闻: jiàn wén ① 見聞: けんぶん ① 見聞: 견 문

② 闻见: wén jiàn ③ 新聞: しんぶん ③ 新聞: 신 문

④ 丑闻: chǒu wén ④ 醜聞: しゅうぶん ④ 醜聞: 추문

① see & hear, information ② hear & see, knowledge, experience ③ news paper ④ scandal, ugly news

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'ear (耳)' and the phonetic 'door (門)', meaning the ear is the gateway to the world.

603: 聲

sound, noise, voice

C J K

声声聲

shēng せい (sei) 성 /sə ŋ/

土 7

耳 17

① 声音: shēng yīn ① 音声: おんせい ① 音聲: 음성

② 声调: shēng diào ② 声調: せいちょう ② 聲調: 성 조

③ 喊声: hǎn shēng ③ 喊声: かんせい ③ 喊聲: 함성

① voice ② tone, pitch ③ shout, outcry, battle cry

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'ear (耳)' and the phonetic 'stone chime (磬→殸)', meaning a 'musical instrument (声)' either 'blown (殳)' or strum is 'sound' or 'noise' for the ear.

604: 聽

listen, hear

C J K

听聴聽

tīng ちょう (chou) 청 /tʃ ə ŋ/

口 7

耳 17

耳 22

① 听取: tīngqǔ ① 聴取: ちょうしゅ ① 聽取: 청취

② 倾听: qīngtīng ② 傾聴: けいちょう ② 傾聽: 경청

③ 听写: tīngxiě ④ 聴衆: ちょうしゅう ⑤ 監聽: 감청

① listening, hearing ② listen closely, listen attentively ③ dictation ④ audience, listeners ⑤ monitor, eavesdrop, tap, bug

A phono-semantic compound between the semantic 'ear (耳)', phonetic 'stem (𡈼)', and semantic 'virtue (悳→𢛳)', meaning that which is gained by either 'listening' to or 'hearing' someone or something. Here, 'virtue (悳)' is equated to 'gain (得)'.

605: 肉

flesh, meat

C J K

肉肉肉

ròu にく (niku) 육 /yuɡ/

肉 6

① 肉体: ròutǐ ① 肉体: にくたい ① 肉體: 육체

② 肉食: ròushí ② 肉食: にくしょく ② 肉食: 육식

③ 筋肉: jīnròu ③ 筋肉: きんにく ③ 筋肉: 근육

① flesh & blood, physical ② carnivorous, meat-eating ③ muscles

A pictogram depicting an animal's thorax or the area between the neck and the abdomen. Expressed as '⺼' as opposed to '月' when used as a radical, meaning 'flesh' or 'meat'.

606: 育

rear, raise, produce

C J K

育育育

yù いく (iku) 육 /yuɡ/

⺼ 8

① 培育: péiyù ① 育成: いくせい ① 育成: 육성

② 育儿: yù ér ② 育児: いくじ ② 育兒: 육아

③ 养育: yǎng yù ③ 養育: よういく ③ 養育: 양육

① cultivate, nurture, grow ② child care, nursing ③ bring up, rear