屬

屬 is a phono-semantic compound:

尾 (꼬리 미) — semantic element, depicting an attachment or following part, representing connection or continuation.

蜀 (나라이름 촉)phonetic component, providing the sound shǔ / sok.

Together, the composition expresses the idea of “something attached at the end or dependent upon another”, from which the meanings “to belong” and “to be attached” naturally arise.

附屬 (부속) — attached, affiliated

屬性 (속성) — attribute, property

屬下 (속하) — subordinates, subordinates under authority

屬地 (속지) — territory, dependency

屬國 (속국) — vassal state

親屬 (친속) — relatives, kin

家屬 (가속) — family members

金屬 (금속) — metal (lit. “metallic substance”)

動物屬 (동물속) — genus (in taxonomy, Latin genus)

In classical Chinese texts, 屬 was used to express relationships of hierarchy and dependence — e.g., 天子之屬國 (“the vassal states of the Son of Heaven”).

It indicated social or cosmic order, where every being or office belonged to its rightful domain.

In Confucian and legal contexts, 屬 often denoted relatives or family members (親屬, 家屬).

It carries emotional and moral connotations of connection through lineage or duty.

In taxonomy, 屬 (genus) is used as a classification rank between family (科) and species (種) — showing how the original meaning of group or class evolved into a precise technical sense.