喩

喩 is both a verb (“to make someone understand”) and a noun (“a parable, comparison”).

It is often synonymous with 譬, sharing the meaning “to explain by analogy.”

Phono-semantic compound:

口 (입 구) — semantic component, indicating speech, utterance, or expression.

兪 (인월도 유) — phonetic component, providing the sound yù / yu and suggesting persuasion, comfort, or agreement.

Thus 口 + 兪 → 喩 — “to make someone understand through spoken explanation.”

In Shuowen Jiezi (說文解字):

「喩，曉也。从口，俞聲。」

“喩 means to make clear or enlighten; composed of 口 and phonetic 俞.”

Hence 喩 directly conveys the act of speaking so that others may comprehend.

In modern Korean, the meaning “비유하다 (to compare figuratively)” is preserved mainly through compounds such as 비유, 비유적 표현.

喩義 (유의) — meaning; sense; interpretation

比喩 (비유) — comparison; metaphor

譬喩 (비유) — parable; figurative illustration (common in Buddhist and Confucian texts)

喩示 (유시) — instruct; inform; give directions

喩解 (유해) — comprehension; understanding

喩知 (유지) — to know by enlightenment; to be aware

Kangxi Dictionary (康熙字典, vol. 1031):

「喩，曉也。通作喻。」

“喩 means to enlighten; interchangeable with 喻.”

In Confucian texts, 喩 implies moral persuasion through clear reasoning and gentle speech (not coercive instruction).

Book of Mencius (孟子 · 盡心下):

「譬喩以明之。」

“He explained it through analogy” — here 喩 (interchangeable with 譬) signifies illustration or elucidation by example.

Analects (論語 · 衛靈公) commentary:

「聖人設喩以啓蒙。」

“The sage sets forth parables to awaken the ignorant.”

In Buddhist translations, 喩 (and 譬喩) render the Sanskrit upamā or dṛṣṭānta — “parable, simile.”

Example: 法華經 (Chapter 3, “譬喩品”) — the “Chapter of Parables,” one of the most famous uses.

Lotus Sutra (法華經 · 方便品):

「譬喩說法，令眾生悟。」

“By means of parables and analogies, he makes sentient beings understand” — 喩 used as illustrative teaching.

In Daoist writings, it often appears as 比喩, the art of expressing truth through natural images or metaphors.

Interchangeable with 喻, it remains central in both didactic and literary traditions — the character of gentle instruction, lucid persuasion, and enlightened expression.