習

In oracle bone script (甲骨文 jiǎgǔwén), the form appeared as ⺕ ⺕ + 日, where the two ⺕ represent the ancient form of 彗 (broom, also serving as the phonetic), and 日 (sun) served as the semantic element.

Originally, 習 was a phono-semantic compound with:

日 (il, “sun”) as the semantic element;

彗 (swe, “broom”) as the phonetic element.

Over time, the components became confused:

The upper part was altered into 羽 (u, “feathers, wings”);

The lower part transformed into 白 (baek, “white”).

Thus the modern form 習 stabilized.

The original semantic element 日 (sun, illumination) symbolized “enlightenment or clarity” through learning. The core meaning is “to learn, to practice,” extending to “to be accustomed, to be familiar with,” and “habit, custom.”

Common compounds:

연습 (練習) – practice, rehearsal

학습 (學習) – study, learning

습관 (習慣) – habit, custom

습득 (習得) – acquisition, mastery

온습 (慣習) – established custom