才

By extension, it can also refer to capacity, intellectual ability, or innate potential.

An ideographic character:

Originally, it depicted a young sprout emerging from the ground, symbolizing something just beginning to grow. From this image of incipient growth, the meaning evolved into:

- natural endowment

- inborn ability

- raw potential

Because early talent is seen as something that sprouts naturally, the association with ability became firmly established.

The earlier meaning “to exist” later split off into 在 (exist; be present) by adding the element 土 (earth).

재능 (才能) — talent; ability

천재 (天才) — genius

인재 (人才) — talented person

재주 (才藝) — skill; accomplishment

박재 (薄才) — limited talent (humble expression)

Related characters:

在 — to exist (derived meaning of 才)

材 — material; timber (才 as phonetic)

財 — wealth (才 as phonetic)

纔 — only; just (才 as simplified form)

才 emphasizes natural endowment, whereas 能 emphasizes functional ability or learned competence.

In classical texts, 才 often appears together with 德 (virtue), reflecting Confucian values.

Despite its simplicity, 才 is a core character in discussions of governance, education, and personal merit.

才 — also used as the simplified form of 纔 (“only; just now”)