據

據 is a phono-semantic compound composed of:

手 (손 수) — the semantic component, meaning “hand” or “to grasp.”

豦 (큰돼지 거) — the phonetic component, providing the sound (jù / geo).

Together, they depict a hand gripping or holding something firmly — symbolizing control or possession.

From this concrete sense developed abstract meanings such as “to occupy,” “to possess authority,” and “to rely upon as a foundation.”

Semantic development:

hold in hand → take possession → rely on → base on → according to

A classic example of semantic broadening from physical to abstract.

In Korean, 據(거) appears widely in academic, legal, historical, and formal vocabulary.

Reliance / basis:

根據 (근거) — basis; grounds

據點 (거점) — stronghold; strategic point

據理 (거리) — 도리(道理)에 의거함; on the basis of principle

據信 (거신) — 신뢰함; to rely on trust (rare)

Occupation / seizure:

占據 (점거) — to occupy, to take possession

據守 (거수) — hold and defend

據有 (거유) — possess; hold (territory, rights)

Legal / formal:

根據法 (근거법) — law on which something is based

據稱 (거칭) — it is stated that…

據實 (거실) — 사실대로; truthfully, according to fact

This usage heavily influences Korean academic writing via translation, though Korean typically keeps the Sino-Korean forms (근거, 거점, 점거, 거유).

Distinction among forms:

據 (traditional) — full traditional form

据 (simplified) — used in Mainland China; also the Korean Hanja character often printed in modern simplified-based Korean fonts

拠 (Japanese shinjitai) — Japanese-specific form

倨 (거만할 거) — different meaning despite phonetic similarity

鋸 (톱 거) — different meaning, same phonetic 居

In classical Chinese writings, 據 is often used metaphorically for reliance on reason or evidence.

It marks the foundation of logic and moral justification.

For example, in Confucian discourse, “根據理 (to base upon reason)” or “據義行事 (to act according to righteousness)” describes behavior grounded in ethical or rational principles.

In warfare and politics, 據 also connotes holding strategic ground (據地) — symbolizing security, stability, and advantage.

Classical citations:

《史記·項羽本紀》 (Records of the Grand Historian )

「項王據鴻門。」

“Xiang Yu occupied Hongmen” — 據 = to occupy / take possession.

《漢書·高帝紀》 (Book of Han)

「據事直書。」

“Record events just as they are” — 據 = to base on; to rely on factual basis.

《後漢書·禮儀志》 (Book of the Later Han Dynasty)

「據禮而行。」

“Act according to the rites” — 據 = according to; based on.

《文選·陳琳〈檄吳將校部曲文〉》 (Wenxuan, Anthology of Literature)

「據城拒守。」

“He held the city and resisted in defense.”

Thus, 據 encompasses both physical possession and intellectual reliance, reflecting the dual nature of “holding fast” — by the hand or by conviction.