含

The original verb “to hold in the mouth; to contain” belonged to the ancient character 今 in oracle and bronze script.

However, 今 was later loaned (假借) to mean “now; the present,” so a new character was created to preserve the old meaning:

- add 口 (입 구, mouth) below

- retain 今 on top

→ forming 含 “to hold in the mouth; to contain.”

Thus 含 is a semantic–phonetic compound:

口 — semantic element: mouth

今 — phonetic element and semantic root (original meaning: to contain)

Structural notes:

Adding 口 below creates 含 — “to contain, hold.”

Putting 口 and 今 side by side produces 吟 (읊을 음) — a completely different character meaning “to chant.”

Classical dictionary evidence

Shuowen Jiezi (說文解字):

「含，口中有也。从口，今聲。」

“含 means to have something in the mouth. Formed from 口 with 今 as phonetic.”

This confirms the original meaning of containment.

Semantic development

Literal physical meaning:

- to hold in the mouth

- to contain or enclose physically

To include / to contain:

- broader semantic extension — “to hold inside”

To harbor / conceal (feelings, meaning):

- emotional or moral containment

- e.g., “harbor resentment,” “contain affection,” “contain meaning”

To imply / to suggest subtly:

- in classical prose, often denotes 含意 “implied meaning.”

In Korean, 含(함) is used in Sino-Korean words involving containing, including, harboring, or implying.

Containing / including:

含有 (함유) — 무엇을 포함함; to contain; to include

含量 (함량) — 안에 든 양; content amount; percentage composition

含水 (함수) — 물을 머금음; water content; moisture

含笑 (함소) — 웃음을 머금음; to smile slightly; hold a smile

Emotional / internal state:

含怨 (함원) — 원망을 품음; to harbor resentment

含情 (함정) — 감정을 머금다; to contain emotion; emotional subtlety

含羞 (함수) — 수줍음을 머금다; to be shy; to blush inwardly

Figurative / literary expressions:

含意 (함의) — 말 속에 담긴 뜻; implied meaning

含蓄 (함축) — 내포하고 아껴 담음; implicitness; implied depth

含冤 (함원) — 원한을 담은 채 억울함; to bear injustice silently

These forms are common in Korean academic writing, literature, and formal language.

含 carries strong connotations of:

- interiority

- quiet restraint

- subtle emotion

- implicit meaning

It is the opposite of explicit or open expression.

Thus 含蓄 (implicitness) and 含意 (implied meaning) are key concepts in classical poetry and literary aesthetics.

Classical Citations:

《詩經·小雅·斯干》 (The Book of Songs)

「含饴弄孙。」

“Holding sweets in their mouths, they play with their grandchildren” — 含 = literally “to hold in the mouth.”

《孟子·滕文公下》 (Mencius)

「君子之心，含仁義。」

“The gentleman’s heart contains benevolence and righteousness” — 含 = to harbor within.

《楚辭·九章·惜誓》 (Chu Ci)

「含情未吐。」

“Concealing emotions, yet not uttering them” — 含 = to hold back, to keep within.

《後漢書·楊震傳》 (Book of the Later Han Dynasty)

「含垢藏疾，以成大器。」

“Endure humiliation and conceal flaws in order to achieve greatness” — 含垢 = to endure disgrace silently.

《文選·陸機〈文賦〉》 (Wenxuan, Anthology of Literature)

「含章綜藝。」

“Containing elegance and gathering all arts together” — 含 = to bear, to carry within.

These citations demonstrate the full semantic range: literal → moral → figurative.