准

Expresses the idea of permission, conformity, or standardization — that which is “in line with,” “accurate,” or “approved.”

Phono-semantic compound consisting of:

氵(水) — semantic component, meaning “water,” symbolizing balance, leveling, or evenness.

隼 (매 순) — phonetic component, providing the sound jun and connoting focus, precision, and aim.

The combination originally depicted “water leveled like a bird’s flight,” hence the sense of evenness, accuracy, and standardization.

From this arose the metaphorical meanings of measuring, approving, or making something conform to a standard.

批准 (비준) — to ratify; to approve formally

准許 (준허) — to permit; to authorize

准備 (준비) — to prepare (simplified form of 準備)

准確 (준확) — accurate; precise

准則 (준칙) — standard; guideline; principle

准線 (준선) — reference line; benchmark line

准星 (준성) — sight mark; aiming point

准考證 (준고증) — examination admission slip (lit. “permit to take test”)

不准 (불준) — not allowed; disallowed

准入 (준입) — allowed entry; admission permitted

In early Chinese writings, 准 carried the sense of “level, even, or balanced like calm water.”

Ancient engineers and architects used the term metaphorically for accuracy in measurement and alignment.

「水以平為准，事以理為準。」

“As water provides the level, so reason provides the standard.”

Over time, it came to mean standard or model, and later permission or approval, reflecting the act of aligning one’s decision with law or moral correctness.

In imperial administration, documents marked “可准” signified official approval, while “不准” meant denial — a usage still echoed in bureaucratic Chinese today.

In modern language, 准 (simplified) replaced the traditional form 準, retaining identical pronunciation and meaning.

准 represents balance, accuracy, and proper judgment.

The water radical (氵) symbolizes clarity and levelness, while 隼 (hawk) evokes keen precision and steady aim.

Together, they form the image of clear, calm discernment — the ability to measure, decide, and permit rightly.

「心如平水，可以為准。」

“A heart as calm as still water may serve as a true standard.”

Thus, 准 is not mere permission but judgment rooted in equilibrium — authority guided by fairness and accuracy.

准 teaches the virtue of precision and measured approval.

To judge fairly, one must first be inwardly balanced; to permit justly, one must discern truly.

「君子之准，不偏不倚。」

“The noble man’s standard is neither biased nor crooked.”

Therefore, 准 stands as a character of equilibrium, justice, and precision — a reminder that all rightful approval and correctness must arise from the stillness of a clear and steady heart.