借

Phono-semantic compound composed of:

亻(人) — semantic component, meaning “person,” representing human action or social exchange.

昔 (예 석) — phonetic component, providing the sound (in Old Chinese) and carrying the sense of temporariness or the past.

Together, the character signifies “a person (人) engaging in a temporary (昔) transaction” — that is, to borrow or lend.

The Korean Sino-reading cha corresponds to an older Middle Chinese pronunciation tsjak (or tśia), which has shifted through time, explaining the sound difference between 석 (from 昔) and 차 (in 借).

借用 (차용) — to borrow; to use temporarily

借貸 (차대) — to borrow or lend money; credit

借助 (차조) — to make use of; to rely on aid

借名 (차명) — to use another’s name

借口 (차구) — pretext; excuse (lit. “borrowed mouth”)

借景 (차경) — “borrowed scenery,” a landscape design concept

借問 (차문) — to inquire politely (classical usage)

借金 (차금) — borrowed money; debt

借閱 (차열) — to borrow (a book from a library)

假借 (가차) — phonetic borrowing in writing (one of the Six Principles of Chinese characters)

In ancient Chinese society, borrowing (借) was not merely economic — it had moral and ritual connotations of trust, reciprocity, and temporary stewardship.

Contracts and oaths often used the term to affirm mutual obligation and faith.

In classical texts, 借 frequently appears in both literal and metaphorical senses:

「借力而行者，順也。」

“He who moves by borrowing another’s strength acts in harmony” — Zhuangzi (莊子).

Here, 借 implies strategic cooperation or dependence — using another’s force or wisdom without possessing it.

In linguistic theory, the compound 假借 (가차) refers to the practice of borrowing characters phonetically to write unrelated words with similar sounds — a foundational concept in the development of Chinese writing.

借 symbolizes temporary possession and moral trust.

The person radical (亻) reminds us that borrowing exists only through human relationships — a bond of faith and responsibility between giver and receiver.

It also represents the humility of dependence — acknowledging that one sometimes acts “by means of another.”

「借物以成事，還德以報恩。」

“Borrow things to accomplish your purpose, but repay with virtue and gratitude.”

借 teaches the virtue of gratitude and moderation.

To borrow is not to own; to use is not to take. It reminds us that everything borrowed — whether object, favor, or time — must one day be returned.

「借而不還，信之失也。」

“To borrow and not return is the loss of trust.”

Thus, 借 stands as a character of trust, reciprocity, and mindful use — a symbol of the human exchange that binds society, and a reminder that all possessions, even our days, are but borrowed from time.