貌

Phono-semantic compound:

月 — semantic element, in this context, not “moon,” but the flesh radical (肉), symbolizing the human body or face.

豹 (표범 표) — phonetic element. providing the sound mào and implying marked or distinctive appearance, as a leopard’s spots are distinctive.

The original form 皃 (U+7683) was a pictograph depicting a human head and body, emphasizing the face.

Later, when used to denote both “face” and “form,” 皃 was combined with the phonetic 豹, producing 貌, which became the standard form.

容貌 (용모) — facial features, appearance

相貌 (상모) — physiognomy, looks

禮貌 (예모) — courtesy, politeness (lit. “ritual appearance”)

風貌 (풍모) — style, elegant demeanor

貌似 (모사) — to resemble, to appear similar

傾貌 (경모) — graceful appearance, charming look

In Confucian and Daoist traditions, 貌 is not mere physical form but the visible manifestation of moral character — as in 莊重之貌 (“a solemn demeanor”) or 恭敬之貌 (“a reverent countenance”).

In compounds like 禮貌 (예의 / courtesy), 貌 evolved from physical “appearance” to describe visible manners and etiquette — the social expression of inner respect.