廷

A phono-semantic compound:

廴 (인, “to walk slowly; extended movement”) — semantic component, suggesting an open, extended space

𡈼 (정, “upright; outstanding”) — phonetic component, supplying the sound

Originally, 廷 referred to an open courtyard space where people gathered formally.

From this physical meaning developed the institutional sense: the place where rulers and officials assemble to conduct state affairs.

Semantic development:

- physical space — open courtyard

- political site — place of royal audiences

- pnstitutional power — the royal court / state

- judicial extension — legal court (法廷)

The word retains a strong spatial metaphor even when used abstractly.

廷 is primarily used in political, historical, and administrative contexts.

조정 (朝廷) — royal court; imperial government

궁정 (宮廷) — palace court

법정 (法廷) — court of law

정원 (廷園) — courtyard garden (historical usage)

정신 (廷臣) — court official

In classical texts, 廷 could also refer to government offices (官衙) or formal courtyards, not only the abstract idea of government.

Related characters (court & authority):

朝 — court; morning audience

宮 — palace

殿 — hall; palace building

府 — government office

門 — gate; household; authority

Among these, 廷 uniquely emphasizes the open space where authority is enacted publicly, rather than the building itself.

The native interpretation of 廷 was not fixed during the Joseon period.

《訓蒙字會》 (1527, Jungjong 22):

훈음: 터 뎌ᇰ (“터 정”)

《新增類合》 (1576, Seonjo 9):

훈음: 나라ᄠᅳᆯ 뎡

In modern Korean, this corresponds to “나라뜰 정”, meaning "the open place where affairs of the state are discussed."

This shows that 廷 was understood concretely as a space, not merely an abstract institution, and that its native gloss shifted even within a 50-year span—indicating semantic instability in vernacular interpretation.

In Japanese, 廷 is associated with the kun-reading みかど (mikado).

かど (門) — gate; household

み (御) — honorific prefix

Originally, mikado referred to the palace gate, but by euphemistic extension came to mean:

- the imperial court

- the emperor himself

- the state or government

Classical distinctions include:

かみのみかど (神のみかど) — “court of the gods” (Japan’s own court)

ひとのみかど / 人の朝 — “court of men” (foreign courts)

もとのみかど (本のみかど) — one’s homeland or native court

This reflects how 廷 functions as a metonym for sovereign authority.