格

Phono-semantic compound:

木 (tree, wood) – semantic element, related to wooden structures, patterns, or frameworks.

各 (each, individual) – phonetic element.

Together, the character originally conveyed the sense of “arranging wood into a pattern/structure,” extended to mean “rule, form, style.”

Semantic range:

- standard, rule (格式 – standard, form)

- form, pattern (체격, 형태)

- in classical usage: to approach, to reach, or to strike (as in 格殺 – strike and kill).

격식 (格式) – formality, standard

격자 (格子) – grid, lattice

격언 (格言) – proverb, maxim

체격 (體格) – physique, body frame

성격 (性格) – character, personality