噴

Phono-semantic compound consisting of:

口 (입 구) — semantic component, representing the mouth or speech, denoting emission from the mouth.

賁 (클 분 / 꾸밀 비) — phonetic component, providing the sound bun / pén / pēn, and suggesting expansion or force.

The character depicts something being forcibly ejected from the mouth, hence its meanings “to spout,” “to emit,” and metaphorically “to speak out violently.”

In Shuowen Jiezi (說文解字):

「噴，吹也。从口，賁聲。」

“噴 means to blow out; composed of 口 (mouth) and phonetic 賁.”

Semantic evolution:

Originally referring to forceful blowing or spouting from the mouth, 噴 expanded metaphorically to mean:

Physical emission: steam, water, air, or fire.

Emotional outburst: anger, laughter, or words.

Mechanical propulsion: modern terms like 噴射機 (“jet airplane”).

噴出 (분출) — to spout out, erupt (e.g., volcano, fountain)

噴射 (분사) — to spray, jet, eject

噴火 (분화) — volcanic eruption

噴氣 (분기) — emission of gas, jet propulsion

噴水 (분수) — fountain, water spout

All these preserve the original sense of “ejecting forcefully from a source.”

Examples in classical literature:

Zhuangzi (莊子 · 外物篇):

「噴雲吐霧，以成雷雨。」

“(The dragon) breathes out clouds and exhales mist, bringing forth thunder and rain” — illustrates the sense “to exhale, to emit.”

Han Shu (漢書 · 天文志):

「火山噴煙。」

“The volcano spouted smoke.”

Modern Chinese usage:

Highly productive in compounds and everyday speech.

噴氣 (pēnqì) — to emit gas.

噴水 (pēnshuǐ) — to spout water, fountain.

噴火 (pēnhuǒ) — to erupt fire, volcano.

噴笑 (pēnxiào) — to burst into laughter.

噴嚏 (pēntì) — sneeze.

噴射 (pēnshè) — to spray or eject, “jet.”

From ancient descriptions of dragons “breathing out clouds” to modern terms for jet propulsion (噴射機), the character embodies energy suddenly expelled from within — the voice of eruption, emotion, and natural power itself.