妥

Phono-semantic compound:

女 (여자 녀) — semantic component, denotes woman, suggesting gentleness, harmony, or calmness.

爪 (손톱 조) — phonetic component, provides the sound tuǒ / ta and carries the nuance of holding or placing gently.

Thus 女 + 爪 → 妥, literally “a hand placing gently,” symbolizing stability, composure, or being settled properly.

In Shuowen Jiezi (說文解字):

「妥，安也。从女，爪聲。」

“妥 means peaceful or settled; composed of 女 and phonetic 爪.”

This definition highlights the notion of calm order and appropriateness — a state of being harmoniously “settled.”

妥當 (타당) — proper; reasonable; suitable

妥協 (타협) — compromise; mutual concession (literally “harmonious adjustment”)

妥安 (타안) — peaceful, well-settled

安妥 (안타) — calm and secure

穩妥 (온타) — steady, stable, safe

Book of Han (漢書 · 賈誼傳):

「妥處而已。」

“He merely settled matters properly.” — 妥 used for “settled in good order.”

In the Liji (禮記), 妥 also denotes propriety in ritual placement:

「妥其神位。」

“To properly set the spirit tablet,” referring to correct ritual arrangement.

Modern usage preserves the sense of being “appropriate and well-handled,” as in expressions like 妥當處理 (“handled properly”).

It evolved to mean “proper, suitable, well-arranged,” encompassing both physical stability and moral appropriateness.

In Korean compounds such as 妥當 and 妥協, it conveys the idea of rightness achieved through balance and composure.