區

Formed as a compound ideograph:

匸 (“to conceal, enclose”) suggests an enclosed space or demarcated area;

品 (“objects, goods”) depicts multiple items together.

Combined, the character originally conveyed the idea of “items arranged and divided within an enclosure,” leading to meanings of division, separation, district, boundary.

Semantic range:

- to divide, separate (구분하다, 區分);

- to distinguish, discriminate (구별하다, 區別);

- boundary, limit (지경, 區域);

- district, ward (행정구역, e.g., 서울 ○○구).

區分 (구분) — division, classification

區別 (구별) — distinction, differentiation

地區 (지구) — region, zone

區域 (구역) — area, boundary

行政區 (행정구) — administrative district

In traditional Chinese administrative practice, 區 was widely used to denote territorial units or divisions, emphasizing order and hierarchy within governance.

In modern East Asia, especially Korea, China, and Japan, it remains the standard character for urban wards or districts. Its usage reflects the Confucian administrative concern with categorization and hierarchy, ensuring clarity of roles and regions.