推

A phono-semantic compound composed of:

手 (hand) — semantic component, indicating physical action

隹 (short-tailed bird) — phonetic component, supplying the sound "추 / tuī"

The original sense is a hand applying force, hence to push. From this concrete meaning, several abstract meanings developed.

推 in Korean often conveys deliberate forward movement, whether physical, temporal, or intellectual.

추진 (推進) — to propel; to promote

추천 (推薦 / 推薦) — to recommend

추리 (推理) — inference; reasoning

퇴고 (推敲) — to revise a text carefully

연기하다 / 미루다 — semantic extension of 推

推 emphasizes active force, whether physical or intellectual. The meaning often implies intentional agency, not accidental movement.

In reasoning contexts, 推 suggests logical extrapolation rather than intuition.

In modern China, 推 is commonly seen on doors meaning “PUSH”, often paired with 拉 (to pull) on the opposite door.

Related characters:

押 — to press down

拉 — to pull

進 — to advance

延 — to prolong

敲 — to knock (paired with 推 in 推敲)

Classical citations:

《孟子》 (Mencius)

「以意逆志，是為得之」

"To grasp the meaning by interpreting the intent is to attain it."

Later interpreted via 推 as “to infer intention from words.”

《韓非子》 (Han Feizi)

「推法而行」

“Apply the law by extension and enforcement.”

These illustrate 推 as reasoned extension rather than mere physical action.

Phonological notes

推 is historically a polyphonic character:

昌母 脂韻 → 추

透母 灰韻 → 퇴

There is no inherent semantic distinction between the readings; differences arose from historical phonological development.

Language-specific tendencies

Korean & Japanese: 昌母 계열 (추 / スイ) dominates

Korean exception: 퇴고 (推敲) — read 퇴, following the 透母 계열

Vietnamese:

thôi (general)

xuy (when meaning “to reason / infer”)

Chinese dialects: 透母 계열 pronunciation is dominant