疵

疵 is a phono-semantic compound composed of:

疒 (병들어 기댈 녁) — semantic component, denoting illness, affliction, or bodily harm.

此 (이 차) — phonetic component, contributing the sound cī / ja and implying something undesirable or wrong.

Originally, the character described a physical affliction or blemish on the body — an “illness-mark.”

From this literal sense, it developed figuratively to mean any flaw or imperfection, physical or moral.

Thus, 疵 evolved from bodily defect to imperfection, fault / moral failing.

瑕疵 (하자) — defect, flaw, imperfection (esp. in goods or character)

疵點 (자점) — small defect, blemish

無疵 (무자) — flawless, without defect

疵病 (자병) — flaw or fault (often figurative)

n ancient Chinese, 疵 first referred to bodily defects or minor diseases, e.g., blemishes on skin or damage to jade.

Later, by metaphorical extension, it came to describe flaws in conduct or character, paralleling English “blemish” or “stain.”

「玉有瑕疵，人有過失」

“Jade may have blemishes, and men may have faults.”

— A classical proverb equating natural and moral imperfection.

In Confucian writings, 疵 denotes minor faults of temperament — lapses that mar an otherwise virtuous person.

Hence expressions like:

「雖賢，亦有小疵。」 — “Even the virtuous have small flaws.”

This aligns with the moral ideal that flawlessness (無疵) is an aspiration, not a natural condition.

In commerce, 疵 often refers to imperfections in goods or materials, especially in jade, porcelain, or textiles — where even a small blemish (疵點) reduces value.

Thus, 瑕疵 became the standard compound for “defect” in both legal and trade vocabulary.

Comparison:

疵 — flaw, defect. General, includes moral or physical flaws.

瑕 — imperfection, flaw in jade. More elegant, often paired with 疵.

病 — illness. Literal sickness rather than defect.

錯 — mistake, error. Applies to action rather than condition.