携

A phono-semantic compound composed of:

手 — semantic component meaning “hand; action done with the hand”;

巂 — phonetic component indicating the sound (휴 / xié).

The character originally conveyed the idea of holding or guiding someone by the hand.

Semantic development:

- to hold or lead by the hand;

- to take along or accompany;

- to carry something with oneself.

携 is mainly seen in formal vocabulary.

휴대 (携帶) — to carry; portable

휴대폰 (携帶電話) — mobile phone

Related characters:

攜 — original form of 携

帶 — to bring; carry

持 — to hold

引 — to lead

The original form is 攜 (U+651C).

Over time, 携 became the commonly used standard form in China, Korea, and Japan, while Taiwan continues to use 攜 as the traditional form.

Variant forms include: 擕, 㩦, 㩗, 𢹂.