侮

Phono-semantic compound:

人 (사람 인) — semantic component, indicating human action or interpersonal behavior.

每 (매양 매) — phonetic component, giving the sound wǔ / mo and implying repetition or habitual action.

Thus, 侮 expresses the act of a person repeatedly showing disdain — hence “to insult” or “to look down on someone.”

In Shuowen Jiezi (說文解字):

「侮，慢也。从人，每聲。」

“侮 means to be arrogant or scornful. Composed of 人 (person) with phonetic 每.”

The early definition stresses 慢 (만) — arrogance and insolence — showing that 侮 carries the moral sense of pride leading to contempt for others.

侮辱 (모욕) — insult; humiliation; affront

侮蔑 (모멸) — contempt; disdain

欺侮 (기모) — to deceive and insult; oppress the weak

侮慢 (모만) — insolence; disrespect

受侮 (수모) — suffering humiliation

Kangxi Dictionary (康熙字典, vol. 38):

「侮，輕慢也。」

“侮 means to treat lightly or with contempt.”

In Confucian ethics, 侮 symbolizes the violation of social harmony (禮) through arrogance or lack of humility.

It stands opposite to 敬 (respect) and 恭 (reverence) — core virtues for maintaining moral order.

In Buddhist texts, 侮 appears among the “ten unwholesome deeds” when describing speech that causes harm or humiliation (惡口侮罵).

In legal and historical writings, 侮 could imply not only verbal insult but also acts of defiance toward authority — such as 侮君 (“to insult one’s ruler”) or 侮法 (“to show contempt for the law”).

Analects (論語 · 八佾):

「君子不以言舉人，不以人廢言。」

Commentary: “若侮人而自尊者，非君子也.”

“He who exalts himself by insulting others is not a gentleman.”

Mencius (孟子 · 梁惠王下):

「民不被侮。」

“Let the people not be subjected to insult” — 侮 here denotes violation of human dignity and respect.

Book of Rites (禮記 · 禮運):

「侮老慢賢，國之亂也。」

“To insult the old and slight the wise — this brings disorder to the state.”

These examples show that 侮 is not a mere act of verbal insult but a moral failure, violating the Confucian principle of 敬 (경, respect) toward others.