構

Phono-semantic compound:

木 (tree, wood) – semantic element, indicating relation to wood or wooden structures.

冓 (to meet, to put together) – phonetic element, also conveying the sense of assembling or joining.

Originally depicted beams or wooden parts meeting and being joined together. From this, the meaning extended to “to construct,” “to assemble,” or “to put in order.”

Semantic range:

- to structure, to assemble, to build (physically or conceptually);

- to conspire or scheme together (extended meaning in classical usage);

- a specific plant (paper mulberry, used for traditional paper).

구조 (構造) – structure, construction

구상 (構想) – conception, plan

구축 (構築) – construction, establishment

교구 (構區) – diocese, ecclesiastical district

Closely related to 冓, which emphasizes “joining” or “meeting.”