誇

A phono-semantic compound consisting of:

言 (speech) — semantic component, indicating relation to words or speaking;

夸 (kuā) — phonetic component, providing the sound.

Originally, 夸 itself meant “to boast.”

Later, 言 was added to emphasize that this is an act performed through speech, forming 誇.
Semantic development: - speaking about something; - praising or elevating it; - exaggerating its value; - boasting or bragging. Thus, 誇 evolved from speech to exaggerated praise and boasting.

In Korean, 誇 appears mainly in formal or descriptive vocabulary, often with a negative nuance.

과장 (誇張) — exaggeration

자과 (自誇) — self-praise; boasting

The addition of 言 reflects a common pattern: clarifying meaning by adding a semantic component. Compared to words for praise, 誇 often implies exaggeration or self-display, not just admiration. In modern usage, it can be either: - negative — bragging; - neutral/positive — taking pride (depending on context). The evolution from 夸 to 誇 illustrates how characters become more semantically explicit over time.
Related characters: 稱 — to praise; to call

Among these, 誇 often carries a nuance of excess or overstatement, unlike neutral praise.