兼

Ideogrammatic compound:

禾 (grain, rice plant) ×2 - abundance, multiplicity.

又 (hand) - action, to grasp.

Original image: “two stalks of grain grasped by a hand,” symbolizing taking more than one thing at once, hence “to combine” or “to do simultaneously.”

兼職 (겸직) — holding two posts concurrently

兼任 (겸임) — concurrent appointment

兼用 (겸용) — dual use, used for more than one purpose

兼帶 (겸대) — to concurrently hold or include

兼收 (겸수) — to take in both, to embrace simultaneously

In Confucian texts, 兼 can carry the sense of inclusive virtue, embracing multiple perspectives or duties.

In Mohist philosophy, 兼愛 (겸애, “impartial caring”) is a central doctrine, meaning “universal love,” advocating concern for all people equally rather than partiality toward one’s own.