意

Phono-semantic compound:

心 (heart, mind) – semantic, indicating thought and feeling

音 (sound, tone) – phonetic element, suggesting expression and communication

Originally depicted the sound of the heart — the inner voice or expressed intention. Over time it came to mean thought, purpose, and meaning in a broad sense.

Semantic range:

- intention, will, purpose;

- thought, idea, mental activity;

- meaning, sense, significance (of words, events);

- feeling, sentiment, mood;

- by extension: suggestion, inclination, wish.

意見 (의견) – opinion

意味 (의미) – meaning, significance

意志 (의지) – will, determination

同意 (동의) – agreement, consent

주의 (主意) – idea, plan

In classical texts, 意 often denotes the heart’s inner thought distinct from 情 (emotions).

In modern Chinese, it also appears in the abbreviation for Italy: 意大利 (Yìdàlì).