謝

It is a phono-semantic compound, consisting of:

言 (“speech, words”) as the semantic element;

射 (“to shoot,” sa) as the phonetic element.

The character’s semantic development reflects polite or formal speech acts: words of gratitude, apology, or refusal.

In Korean usage, 사 (謝) appears widely in Sino-Korean compounds, often connected with manners, apologies, or polite refusals:

사례 (謝禮) – thanks, expression of gratitude

사과 (謝過) – apology

사절 (謝絶) – refusal, turning down

사양 (謝讓) – declining politely, yielding

감사 (感謝) – gratitude, thanks

Today, the sense of gratitude is most prominent in Korean compounds, but the older meanings of apology and refusal are still active in formal or literary usage.