淸

Phono-semantic compound:

水 (water radical) – semantic, indicating clarity, flow, cleansing.

靑 (blue/green “cheong”) – phonetic element.

The character conveys the image of water that is clear and pure, like fresh spring water or a transparent stream.

Semantic range:

- pure, untainted – moral or physical purity;

- fresh, new – as in refreshing or novel;

- clear, bright – vision, sound, or mind;

- also used historically to denote the Qing dynasty (大淸國).

청렴 (淸廉) – honesty, incorruptibility

청신 (淸新) – fresh, refreshing

청주 (淸酒) – Korean rice wine (saké)

청명 (淸明) – clear, bright; also the name of a solar term

대청국 (大淸國) – Qing dynasty

In food contexts, 淸 also carried the meaning “syrup, sweet liquid” (벌꿀, 과일청, 조청).

Often interchangeable with 清 in modern usage, with 清 being the more common simplified/new standard form.