莊

A phono-semantic compound:

艸 (grass, vegetation) — semantic component, suggests land, fields, rural space

壯 (strong; robust; vigorous) — phonetic component, provides the sound and the idea of strength, grandeur, or firmness

The earliest sense of 莊 referred to "a rural estate or farmstead surrounded by fields."

From this concrete meaning, the character developed abstract extensions:

- solidity and dignity of appearance

- solemnity and gravity of atmosphere

- magnificence and stately order

장엄하다 (莊嚴하다) — solemn, majestic

전장 (田莊) — landed estate, manor

별장 (別莊) — country house, villa

농장 (農莊) — farm estate

In Buddhist and Confucian contexts, 莊 emphasizes:

- gravity

- reverence

- moral seriousness

In Chinese philosophy 莊 appears prominently in 莊子 (Zhuangzi) as a surname and name, though the philosophical meaning of the text differs from the character’s basic semantics.