敵

Phono-semantic compound:

攴 (칠 복, “to strike, to hit”) — semantic, representing confrontation or striking.

啇 (밑동 적, “bottom, base”) — phonetic, providing the sound 적.

The character originally depicted opposing or confronting with force, hence the sense of “enemy” or “to resist.”

대적(對敵) — opposition, confrontation

적(敵) — an enemy, foe

무적(無敵) — literally “without an enemy”; figuratively invincible

적국(敵國) — enemy nation

적수(敵手) — rival, worthy opponent

In Classical texts:

仁者無敵 (“the benevolent person has no enemy”) — meaning “no one opposes a virtuous person,” not “the benevolent person is the strongest.”

知己知彼，百戰不殆 (“Know yourself and know your enemy”).

Used figuratively in Confucian and military contexts for moral or strategic superiority.

Modern usage:

In gaming and media, 무적(無敵) is commonly used to mean invincible — an adaptation from English invincible, literally “cannot be defeated.”