隷

The standard (ancient) form is 隸 (U+96B8), from which 隷 developed as a later variant (popularized orthography).

隸 is a phono-semantic compound consisting of:

隶 (미칠 이) — semantic component, meaning to reach, to follow, to attach to, indicating subordination or connection.

柰 (능금나무 내) — phonetic component, giving the sound lì / rye / ye.

Thus, the original sense of 隸 was “to be attached to or under another”, later coming to mean a servant, a subordinate, or one bound to serve.

Shuowen Jiezi (說文解字):

「隸，附也。从隶，柰聲。」

“隸 means to attach or to be subordinate. Composed of 隶 (‘to follow’) and phonetic 柰.”

The later form 隷 substitutes 士 (scholar, official) for 柰, producing a simplified visual variant.

This version was common in clerical and cursive script styles from the Han dynasty onward and became the standard form in Korea and Japan.

Originally, 隸 / 隷 referred to people attached to government offices as servants or convicts, especially during the Qin and Han dynasties.

Such individuals were considered low-status functionaries or penal laborers, distinguished from free citizens.

Over time, the semantic range broadened to include:

Literal servitude — slaves, attendants, or menial workers;

Administrative subordination — officials under higher authority;

Intellectual apprenticeship — to “be under study or training”;

Calligraphic style — the clerical script (隷書), developed during the Qin–Han transition.

奴隷 / 奴隸 (노예) — slave; servant

官隷 (관례) — subordinate officer or government servant

囚隷 (수례) — prisoner, criminal slave

附隷 (부례) — attached or subordinate to

隷屬 (예속) — subordination; dependency

隷學 (예학) — study of clerical script

隷書 (예서) — clerical (official) style of Chinese calligraphy

隷人 (례인) — a servant; bondsman

The compound 奴隷 (노예), literally “male and female slaves,” uses the reading 예, not 례 — a historically established colloquial pronunciation preserved in Sino-Korean vocabulary.

The evolution of 隷 from “servant” to “scholar’s hand” mirrors a profound shift in Chinese civilization —

from hierarchical bondage to discipline through learning and artistry.

In classical usage, 隷屬 (예속) could mean being attached to a master or cause,

but in a moral or spiritual sense, it also came to mean humility in service of truth or art.

Hence, 隷 embodies both submission and devotion — whether to a ruler, a teacher, or a discipline.

「學書者，當以心隷筆。」

“He who studies writing must make his heart the servant of the brush.”

While its literal sense evokes servitude and hierarchy, its cultural evolution celebrates discipline, learning, and mastery through service.

Thus, 隷 embodies the transformation from bondage to art — the humble hand of the scribe becoming the enduring brush of civilization.

Calligraphic significance:

隷書 (예서) — “clerical script” — is one of the major historical styles of Chinese calligraphy.

It evolved from the earlier seal script (篆書) into a more rectilinear, legible form used for administrative documents in the Qin (秦) and Han (漢) periods.

The term 隷書, literally “the writing of clerks or subordinates,” reflects its origin among low-ranking scribes (書吏).

Though once associated with servitude, it became the foundation for all later script styles, including regular script (楷書).

「隷變古文，簡而便。」 (Han Shu, Yiwenzhi)

“The clerical script transformed the ancient script, making it simpler and more practical.”

Thus, from humble administrative beginnings, 隷書 came to symbolize the democratization and refinement of writing itself.

Original / Standard form: 隸 (U+96B8)

Clerical variant (通用): 隷 (U+96B7)

Simplified Chinese: 隶 (U+96B6)

隷 is the Korean and Japanese standard form.