備

Phono-semantic compound:

人 (person, 亻 radical) provides the semantic element → human action, effort.

𠬝 (phonetic; an old form related to 備 itself, depicting a person with tools and a drum) contributes the sound.

Original sense: “a person furnished with implements at hand” - “to be equipped, prepared.”

Semantic range:

- to prepare, get ready, equip (준비하다, 備える);

- to provide, furnish, supply (설비하다, 設備);

- to guard against, take precautions (예비하다, 防備);

- by extension, “complete, fully equipped” (완비).

準備 (준비) — preparation

設備 (설비) — equipment, facilities

防備 (방비) — defense, precaution

完備 (완비) — complete, well-equipped

預備 (예비) — reserve, to prepare in advance

備 carries strong Confucian connotations of readiness and proper preparation in governance and ritual life.

In military strategy texts (e.g., 손자병법), 備 often refers to preparing defenses against the unexpected (“有備無患” — “with preparation, there will be no misfortune”).

In Buddhist texts, 備 appears in compounds meaning to “fully equip” oneself with virtues or practices.