役

Phono-semantic compound:

彳 (step, walk) — semantic, relating to movement, action, or labor;

殳 (weapon, tool, strike) — phonetic, also connoting force or compulsion.

Originally denoted compulsory service or being driven to perform tasks.

Semantic range:

- to use, to employ, to order;

- service, duty, task;

- military service, conscription;

- figurative: burden, obligation.

노역 (勞役) — penal labor, forced labor

복역 (服役) — serving a sentence, undergoing penal servitude

역할 (役割) — role, part, function

현역 (現役) — active duty (esp. military)

제대군인 복무/예비역 (豫備役) — military reserve duty

군역 (軍役) — military service

노예역 (奴隷役) — slave labor