功
- merit, achievement, accomplishment, credit;
Etymology
Phono-semantic compound:
力 (“strength, effort”) provides the semantic element.
工 (“craft, work, artisan”) supplies the phonetic.
Together they express the idea of effort in work → “achievement, meritorious service.”
Semantic range:
- merit, achievement, contribution (공로, 功勞);
- accomplishment, success in endeavor (공적, 功績);
- skill, craft (공예, 工夫);
- by extension, “功夫 (쿵푸)” in Chinese means both “skill” and martial arts.
Usage in Korean
功勞 (공로) — meritorious service, distinguished contribution
成功 (성공) — success, accomplishment
功績 (공적) — achievements, meritorious deeds
立功 (입공) — to establish merit, render distinguished service
苦功 (고공) — painstaking effort, hard work
功夫 (공부/쿵푸) — time, effort, or martial skill
Additional notes
In Confucian thought, 功 often contrasts with 德 (virtue): 德 refers to inner moral cultivation, while 功 denotes outer achievements. The ideal ruler or gentleman combines both 德 and 功 — moral authority and practical accomplishments.
In Daoist texts, 功 sometimes refers to the 功夫 of self-cultivation and internal practice, emphasizing effort over external recognition.
In Buddhist contexts, 功德 (공덕) is a central concept, meaning merit and virtue accumulated through good deeds, meditation, and wisdom, believed to carry karmic benefit.
Alternative forms
None major; sometimes written in clerical styles with more angular 力.