宙
- space, universe;
- infinite time;
Etymology
Compound character:
宀 (roof, house) — semantic, indicating structure, covering, or space.
由 (from, to originate, support) — phonetic, also suggesting a supporting pillar or framework.
Originally depicted the central supporting pillar of a house, symbolizing vertical extension.
In early usage, 宇 (house, horizontal extension) represented space stretching outward, while 宙 represented time extending vertically — from past to present. Together, 宇宙 came to signify the vast universe, encompassing both space and time.
Semantic range:
- the universe, cosmos (as in 宇宙);
- time as a continuum, “all ages, past and present”;
- metaphorical: the vastness of existence.
Usage in Korean
우주 (宇宙) — the universe, cosmos
우주관 (宇宙觀) — worldview, cosmology
우주론 (宇宙論) — cosmology, theory of the universe