活
- to live, to be alive;
- lively, active;
- flowing, moving;
- fresh;
Etymology
Phono-semantic compound:
水 (water radical) – semantic, indicating water, life, flow.
𠯑 (guǎ, “to block with the mouth”) – phonetic element.
Over time, 𠯑 was corrupted into 舌 (tongue), giving the modern form.
The imagery suggests water in motion, symbolizing vitality, freshness, and activity.
Semantic range:
- life, to live – being alive, survival.
- lively, fresh, spirited – energetic or animated.
- to flow, gush – as in water moving vigorously.
- figurative: flexible, adaptable, not rigid.
Usage in Korean
活 is widely used in compounds for life, movement, and freshness, and is one of the most common everyday characters.
생활 (生活) – life, living
활동 (活動) – activity
활력 (活力) – vitality, energy
생생활활 (生生活活) – vividly alive, full of life
활자 (活字) – movable type (printing)
Additional notes
The shift from 𠯑 to 舌 in the character’s composition is a case of graphic corruption in the script’s evolution.