契

Ideogram-phonetic compound:

大 (대, “person”) – simplified depiction of a person or form;

刀 (도, “knife”) – represents cutting or carving.

Originally, 契 showed the act of engraving notches into wood or bamboo, symbolizing an engraved pledge or agreement.

From this literal meaning of “to carve”, it developed figurative meanings:

- to make a pact, to seal a covenant - leading to “contract, agreement”;

- to commit or strive earnestly (as if “engraving effort”).

Semantic development:

- physical token — matching tally pieces

- binding action — joining, fastening

- legal agreement — contract, covenant

- abstract correspondence — harmony, mutual understanding

契 is a key character in legal, contractual, and formal contexts.

Common compounds:

계약 (契約) — contract; agreement

서계 (書契) — written contract (classical)

묵계 (默契) — tacit understanding; unspoken agreement

계합 (契合) — to fit perfectly; to correspond

Extended / figurative usage:

의기가 서로 계하다 — minds or intentions coincide

현실과 계하지 않다 — does not correspond to reality

Unlike 約 (to promise; to bind by words), 契 emphasizes mutual fit and binding rather than mere verbal agreement.

Related characters (contracts & binding):

約 — promise; agreement

合 — to combine; to agree

同 — together; same

書 — document; writing

信 — trust; credibility

Among these, 契 uniquely conveys binding through mutual correspondence rather than authority or promise alone.