懇

Phono-semantic compound:

心 (마음 심) — semantic component, representing the heart and emotions.

貇 (간절할 간) — phonetic component, providing the sound kěn / gan and connoting intensity, effort, or firmness.

Thus 心 + 貇 → 懇 — “a heart that exerts effort sincerely and persistently,” hence to be earnest or deeply heartfelt.

In Shuowen Jiezi (說文解字):

「懇，誠也。从心，貇聲。」

“懇 means sincerity; composed of 心 with phonetic 貇.”

The definition highlights the inner state of truthful emotion, aligning 懇 with 誠 (성, sincerity) and 至 (지, utmost) in the moral lexicon of Confucian thought.

In modern Korean and Chinese, 懇 expresses sincerity of emotion and depth of intent, particularly in supplication, gratitude, or human relationships.

懇切 (간절) — earnest; sincere; ardent

懇求 (간구) — to implore; to earnestly ask

懇請 (간청) — to entreat sincerely; heartfelt petition

懇談 (간담) — cordial talk; heart-to-heart discussion

懇意 (간의) — goodwill; sincere intention

懇篤 (간독) — sincere and faithful; deeply affectionate

懇親 (간친) — close friendship; intimate relations

懇勸 (간권) — earnest persuasion or encouragement

Kangxi Dictionary (康熙字典, vol. 900):

「懇，誠也，篤也，至也。」

“懇 means sincerity, devotion, and utmost feeling.”

Book of Han (漢書 · 韋賢傳):

「懇懇以忠信為心。」

“He was earnest and sincere, making loyalty and trust his heart.”

Book of Later Han (後漢書 · 馬融傳):

「懇懇告之，以示恩誠。」

“He earnestly instructed them, showing grace and sincerity.”

Analects (論語 · 里仁) commentary (Zhu Xi):

「懇者，情之至也。」

“The word 懇 expresses the utmost of feeling.”

These attestations confirm that 懇 denotes deep, faithful emotion expressed through word or deed — a moral and affective virtue.

In Confucian ethics, 懇 embodies the heart’s sincerity in human relations (仁) — emotional depth expressed through loyalty, compassion, and truth.

In Buddhist texts, it represents the mind’s earnest effort in cultivation — an essential quality of compassion (慈悲) and faith (信).

In modern East Asian etiquette, 懇 appears in respectful expressions such as 懇請致意 (“earnest regards”) or 懇祈幸福 (“sincere wishes for happiness”).

It expresses both emotional authenticity and moral earnestness — the inner strength to feel and act truthfully.

In classical virtue ethics, it stands alongside 誠 and 忠 as a mark of true humanity - a word that joins emotion, integrity, and empathy — the pure, undivided heart that seeks to do good wholeheartedly.