友

Originally a pictographic/associative compound:

Composed of two 又 (“hand”) elements.

Depicts two hands joined together, symbolizing companionship, alliance, and trust.

Some scholars also view it as a phono-semantic compound, with 又 functioning both as semantic (“hand”) and phonetic element.

Semantic range:

- friend, companion, comrade (벗, 친구);

- by extension: ally, partner, associate;

- to be friendly, to associate with.

우정 (友情) — friendship

벗 우 (朋友) — friend

학우 (學友) — schoolmate

동지우 (同志友) — comrade, ally

우애 (友愛) — fraternal affection, brotherly love

In Confucian philosophy, 友 (friendship) is one of the Five Relationships (五倫):

1. ruler–subject (君臣),

2. father–son (父子),

3. husband–wife (夫婦),

4. elder–younger (長幼),

5. friend–friend (朋友).

Friendship is unique among them as a reciprocal relationship of equality, emphasizing loyalty, trust, and sincerity.