完
- complete, whole, perfect;
- to finish, to bring to an end;
Etymology
Phono-semantic compound:
宀 (roof, house) — semantic, indicating protection, shelter, or something enclosed.
元 (origin, primary, head) — phonetic element.
Together they express the idea of a house or structure being intact and preserved, hence “complete, whole.”
Semantic range:
- complete, perfect, intact;
- to finish, to bring something to its conclusion;
- figurative: faultless, flawless.
Usage in Korean
완전 (完全) — complete, perfect
완성 (完成) — completion, accomplishment
불완전 (不完全) — incomplete, imperfect
결완 (缺完) — lacking but completed in form
드라마 완결 표시 (完) — used at the end of serialized works to mark completion (e.g., “10화 完”).
Words that derived from 完
Additional notes
In East Asian literature and popular culture (especially Korean manhwa, Japanese manga, dramas, and serialized novels), 完 is often placed at the final chapter or episode to indicate “The End / Completed”.
- 十一一山 (JMMU)
- ⿱ 宀 元