貯

Phono-semantic compound composed of:

貝 (조개 패) — semantic component, symbolizing wealth, valuables, or objects of trade.

宁 (뜰 저 / 편안할 녕) — phonetic component, providing the sound jeo (zhù) and suggesting calm, quiet retention.

Shuowen Jiezi (說文解字):

「貯，蓄也。从貝，宁聲。」

“貯 means to store or keep. Composed of 貝 (valuables) and 宁 (phonetic).”

Thus, 貯 visually expresses wealth or goods placed securely in a calm, enclosed space — storage, preservation, or saving for later use.

Semantic development:

Literal: to store valuables or resources safely.

Extended (economic): to save or deposit money.

Figurative: to accumulate or retain abstract things, such as virtue, strength, or wisdom.

Thus, 貯 evolved from physical accumulation to moral or intellectual preservation, paralleling the Confucian idea that virtue should be stored and strengthened (蓄德, 貯德).

貯蓄 (저축) — to save, savings, accumulation (esp. money)

貯藏 (저장) — to store, preserve (esp. food or goods)

貯金 (저금) — bank savings, deposited money

貯水 (저수) — stored water, reservoir

貯庫 (저고) — storehouse, treasury

貯水池 (저수지) — reservoir

冷貯 (냉저) — cold storage

In Confucian and moral texts, 貯 often symbolizes prudent restraint and long-term foresight — virtues of those who save and prepare before hardship comes.

《管子》 (Guanzi, Zhong Guan):

「倉廩實而知禮節，衣食足而知榮辱。」

“When the granaries are full, the people know propriety; when food and clothing are sufficient, they understand honor and shame.”

Although not containing 貯 directly, this reflects the same ethic: the act of storing (貯) ensures stability and order.

《韓詩外傳》 (Han shi waizhuan):

「積財不如貯德。」

“It is better to store virtue than to accumulate wealth.”

Here, 貯 is used metaphorically to mean “to preserve internally” — the moral value of inner accumulation over material hoarding.

Therefore, 貯 carries both practical and ethical weight — symbolizing moderation, foresight, and preparedness.

Symbolic interpretation:

貯 represents the virtue of accumulation with purpose — keeping what is valuable, not for greed, but for preparedness and endurance.

In moral philosophy, it mirrors 內蓄而外用, “store within and use without,” the balance between inner cultivation and outward action.

「智者貯德，愚者貯財。」

“The wise store virtue; the foolish store wealth.”

Hence, 貯 stands for both practical thrift and moral preservation — the art of saving not only possessions, but principles.