轄

Phono-semantic compound:

車 (수레 거/차) — semantic element, indicating vehicles, wheels, structure, or mechanical control.

害 (해할 해) — phonetic element, giving sound 할 and possibly suggesting the idea of constraint or control.

Original technical meaning in early Chinese mechanics:

轄 — the axle-pin or linchpin, the small controlling piece that fixes a wheel to its axle.

ecause this tiny part “controls” the wheel's movement, the character naturally broadened to mean to govern, to control, to have authority over.

Used widely in Korean administrative terminology, legal language, and academic writings.

Governance / administration:

統轄 (통할) — 총괄하여 다스림; to oversee; to command; to supervise

轄境 (할경) — 다스리는 지역; territory under one’s control

轄區 (할구) — 관할 구역; jurisdictional district

轄下 (할하) — 관할 아래; under one’s authority

Control / regulation:

Korean legal texts frequently use 관할 (管轄) — formal legal term for jurisdiction. Appears in court documents, administrative laws, and municipal governance.

轄制 (할제) — 통제함; to control; regulation

轄用 (할용) — 관리하여 사용함; to manage and utilize

Literary / classical expressions:

轄世 (할세) — 세상을 다스림; to govern the world

轄政 (할정) — 정치를 주관함; to administer government affairs

轄民 (할민) — 백성을 다스림; to govern the people

《周禮·夏官·大司馬》 (Zhou Li)

「以其地之疆域為之轄。」

“Its borders and regions are what he governs (holds authority over)” — 轄 = to administer a territory.

《史記·封禪書》 (Records of the Grand Historian)

「皆在其轄下。」

“All were under his jurisdiction” — 轄下 = under one’s authority.

《漢書·百官公卿表》 (Table of Officials and Ministers in the Book of Han)

「典領郡國，轄其政事。」

“He oversees the commandery and state, governing its affairs”

《白虎通·官名》 (Baihu Tong - Official Title)

「轄者，所以制眾也。」

“轄 means to regulate and control the multitude.”

《廣雅》 (Guangya)

「轄，制也。」

“轄 means to regulate or control.”

These citations show the transition from “mechanical control” to “political control.”