稚

Primarily denotes youth and immaturity, both in the literal sense (as in “young birds,” “young children”) and in the figurative sense (“naive,” “undeveloped,” “not yet mature”).

A phono-semantic compound consisting of:

禾 (벼 화) — semantic component, representing “grain,” symbolizing growth and maturity.

隹 (새 추) — phonetic component, providing the sound chi and the idea of something small, like a young bird.

Thus, 稚 literally conveys the image of a young, still-growing grain stalk or bird, symbolizing something not yet fully matured.

In ancient etymological classification, 稚 belongs to the 禾 semantic family of agricultural growth terms, drawing metaphorical connections between ripeness in crops and maturity in life.

In Shuowen Jiezi (說文解字), the direct form 稚 is absent, but its variant 稺 is recorded:

「稺，未秀禾也。从禾，屖聲。」

“稺 — a grain that has not yet blossomed; composed of 禾 (‘grain’) and 屖 (‘sound’).”

This confirms that the meaning centers on immaturity or incompleteness, both botanical and metaphorical.

幼稚 (유치) — childish, immature

稚氣 (치기) — childishness; naive charm

稚嫩 (치인) — tender, inexperienced

稚子 (치자) — child, young boy (poetic term)

稚鳥 (치조) — fledgling; young bird

早稚 (조치) — premature

稚拙 (치졸) — crude, artless

In classical literature, 稚 frequently appears as a metaphor for innocence, simplicity, and purity before worldly corruption.

For example, 稚子 (young child) symbolizes natural virtue (德) and unspoiled sincerity, aligning with Confucian ideals of the pure heart before instruction.

Daoist writings also value 稚 as representing the original simplicity of the uncarved block (樸) — the infant-like heart (嬰兒之心) that mirrors the Dao.

In Zhuangzi (莊子·天地篇):

「至人之心，如嬰兒。」

“The mind of the perfected person is like that of a child.”

This sentiment parallels the symbolic use of 稚 for spiritual innocence and harmony with nature.

「稚子弄筆。」 (後漢書·文苑傳)

“The young child plays with a writing brush.” — a tender image of early learning.

In Korean usage, 幼稚園 (유치원) (“kindergarten,” literally “garden of young children”) remains one of the most familiar words derived from 稚.

稚 originated as an image of a young stalk or fledgling, later extending to human youth and inexperience.

Across Confucian, Daoist, and poetic traditions, 稚 symbolizes the purity, tenderness, and potential of early life — the unformed stage before full maturity.