殊

Expresses the idea of difference, distinction, or exceptional quality.

Originally, it meant to cut off, to behead, or to put to death, but the meaning evolved toward being distinct or set apart, emphasizing the notion of “different from the ordinary.”

Phono-semantic compound composed of:

歹 (뼈 앙상할 알) — semantic component, meaning “death” or “remains,” indicating something cut off or ended.

朱 (붉을 주) — phonetic component, giving the sound su and implying “to cut” or “to mark.”

Together, they depict “to kill by cutting,” specifically beheading, as noted in early lexicons.

From this original act of severance, the sense developed metaphorically into “to separate, to be distinct.”

特殊 (특수) — special; unique; exceptional

殊常 (수상) — unusual; extraordinary

殊勝 (수승) — outstanding; sublime; excellent

殊途同歸 (수도동귀) — different paths leading to the same goal

殊死戰 (수사전) — fight to the death; desperate battle

殊榮 (수영) — special honor; distinction

殊遇 (수우) — exceptional treatment; special favor

殊效 (수효) — remarkable effect

殊勳 (수훈) — distinguished service or merit

In modern Chinese, 殊 (shū) is often used in compounds to emphasize exceptionality or distinctiveness.

In Korean and Japanese, it retains the same sense, particularly in academic or literary vocabulary.

According to the Shuowen Jiezi (說文解字), 殊 was defined as 死 (죽이다) — “to put to death.”

The explanatory note reads:

「蠻夷長有罪，當殊之。」

“When the chieftain of the southern tribes commits a crime, he should be executed.”

In this ancient legal sense, 殊 represented capital punishment by decapitation (참수형).

Its components convey:

歹 — bones, death

朱 — cutting the trunk or head

Thus the original meaning was “to separate life from body”, signifying termination and distinction.

Over time, this act of separation evolved into a metaphor for difference, distinctness, or exceptionality.

Korean linguistic scholars (e.g., 한국어문회 (Korean Language Society), 2017) interpret this transformation as a semantic broadening — from “severing life” to “severing sameness.”

Hence, 殊 came to mean “different,” “special,” or “set apart.”

殊 symbolizes separation and uniqueness.

From death and division arises distinction — the idea that to stand apart is to possess identity.

「殊者，異也；與眾不同也。」

“Shu means difference — to be not the same as the multitude.”

The radical 歹 represents the end of sameness, and 朱 (red) symbolizes marking or highlighting what stands out.

Therefore, 殊 captures the transition from uniformity to individuality — a reminder that distinction often arises through separation or sacrifice.

殊 teaches that to be distinct is not to be apart from value, but to embody it.

True difference is born not from rebellion, but from purpose.

「與眾殊途，而歸於真。」

“Though walking a different path from the crowd, one returns to truth.”

Thus, 殊 stands as a character of difference, excellence, and distinction — reminding us that what is set apart may in fact reveal the highest uniqueness of all.