質

Originally a compound ideogram composed of:

斤 (axe) ×2 — symbolizing cutting, striking, or firm grasp; and

貝 (cowrie shell) — representing value, goods, or currency.

The combination signifies “to secure value by striking a bargain,” i.e., to pawn, pledge, or hold as collateral.

This meaning survives in 質權 (right of pledge) and 人質 (hostage).

Later, by semantic extension (假借), 質 came to mean “substance,” “foundation,” and “essence.”

From the idea of holding or confronting something directly, the verb sense “to question” also arose — as one confronts another with a matter to be answered.

바탕 질 (質) — substance, foundation

질문하다 (質問) — to ask

품질 (品質) — quality of goods

질권 (質權) — right of pledge

인질 (人質) — hostage

질박하다 (質樸) — simple and plain

Although classical orthography distinguished 인질 (人質) as 인지 and 질권 (質權) as 지권, modern standard Korean pronounces all as 질.

In Confucian and Daoist discourse, 質 (substance) is often contrasted with 文 (form, refinement) — forming the classical dichotomy 文質彬彬 (balance between substance and grace).

This ideal describes the harmony of inner sincerity (質) and outer elegance (文) in moral character and learning.

Likewise, 質直 (honesty and plainness) is a praised virtue: the person of 質 is genuine, unadorned, and steadfast.

In legal and economic contexts, 質 also reflects trust and obligation — one’s pledge of faith represented by material collateral or a given word.

An ancient variant form is 貭, used interchangeably in older inscriptions.