跌

A phono-semantic compound:

足 — foot (semantic)

失 — to lose (phonetic)

The earliest meaning of 跌 is a sudden physical fall, especially one caused by losing balance or footing.

From this concrete image, the meaning expanded metaphorically to include:

- objects falling

- prices dropping

- status or power collapsing

Unlike characters that imply gradual decline, 跌 often conveys abruptness.

질도 (跌倒) — falling down (formal / literary)

폭락 (暴跌) — sharp fall (especially prices, stocks)

하락 (下跌) — decline (mostly economic)

跌 implies loss of control. Often associated with shock, impact, or unexpected change.

In financial language, it strongly signals negative movement.

Related characters:

蹉 — to slip; to miss an opportunity

倒 — to fall over; to topple

落 — to fall; to descend (neutral or natural)

失 — to lose

崩 — to collapse violently

In Mandarin, 跌 can function as a sound-symbolic verb describing:

- the sound of something dropping

- a sudden thud or fall

This usage reinforces the sense of sudden impact.

In classical texts, 跌 primarily refers to physical falling but is occasionally extended to sudden failure.

Example-style usage:

跌而復起 — “To fall and then rise again.”

Here, 跌 emphasizes the moment of collapse, not the duration.