陶

Phono-semantic compound:

阜 (부, mound, hill) – semantic component, related to places, settlements, or elevation.

匋 (도, pottery vessel) – phonetic component, giving the sound do.

The semantic association with pottery reflects ancient life, as ceramic vessels were central to food storage, cooking, and ritual.

陶器 (도기) — pottery, ceramic ware

陶工 (도공) — potter

陶冶 (도야) — to refine, cultivate (lit. “to fire pottery”)

陶醉 (도취) — to be enchanted, intoxicated (figurative)

陶氏 (도씨) — Tao (surname)

Common as a surname (Tao) in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean contexts.

Related characters: 匋 (old form, vessel), 陶瓷 (ceramics, porcelain).