卷

A phono-semantic compound:

㔾 (병부 절, “seal/hand”) — semantic element, associated with holding or binding

龹 (밥 뭉칠 권) — phonetic element, providing the sound

Originally meant to roll or curl something up, hence “scroll.” From this, it came to denote:

A scroll or volume of writing (the classical form of a book).

By extension, a unit of written work divided by content.

一卷 (일권) — one volume

卷數 (권수) — number of volumes

卷子 (권자) — scroll; exam paper (in classical Chinese usage)

經卷 (경권) — sutra scroll

全卷 (전권) — complete volume

別卷 (별권) — separate volume, appendix

In Korean usage, 권 is used both as:

① a counter for books (e.g., 책 3권 “three books”), and

② to denote the volume number within a series.

In Japanese usage, 巻 (kan) refers primarily to the order/volume within a series, not as a counter.

In Chinese usage, 卷 is also the simplified form of 捲 (“to roll up, to curl”), so it carries both meanings.

Classical distinction: 卷 referred to a section of content (like a “chapter”), whereas 冊 referred to the bound object of paper sheets.