從

The earliest form was 从 (U+4ECE), composed of two 人 (person), depicting one person following another — a pictorial compound.

To emphasize movement, 彳 (step, walk) and 止 (foot, stop) were later added, producing the current form 從.

In Shuowen Jiezi, the element 从 frequently appears in explanations as a semantic base, already meaning “to follow.”

Normally, 彳 + 止 fuses into 辵/⻍ in standard script evolution, but 從 (along with 徙 and 徒) preserves the unusual original arrangement, making it a rare exception.

In modern simplified Chinese, the original 从 is used as the simplified form of 從.

Semantic range:

- to follow, to go along with;

- to obey, to comply;

- from, since (temporal or causal marker in Classical Chinese);

- by extension: secondary rank (e.g., 종1품 vs. 정1품 in Joseon official ranks).

종속 (從屬) – subordination, dependency

종교 (宗敎에서 從) – religion (literally “following teachings”)

종군 (從軍) – to join the army, to follow the army

종로 (從路) – Jongno (lit. “main thoroughfare” in Seoul; historically “the street people follow”)

종자 (從者) – follower, attendant

종신 (從身) – lifelong, for life

종전 (從前) – formerly, before