亟

The structure of 亟 has been interpreted in multiple ways across philological traditions.

In standard classification, it is analyzed as a compound ideogram:

二 (두 이) — signifying duality or repetition (“twice, again”).

人 (사람 인) — representing a person or human action.

叹 (또 우) — sometimes considered phonetic, giving the sound jí / geuk.

Thus, 亟 expresses the idea of repeated or urgent human action, “to do something again and again” or “to act quickly.”

In Shuowen Jiezi (說文解字), Xu Shen defines:

「亟，疾也。从二从人从叹。」

“亟 means swift or urgent; composed of 二, 人, and 叹.”

The form was later simplified in some regional scripts, with the central component written as 了 in popular usage.

亟 (극) — urgent; frequent; repeated

亟來 (극래) — to come often

亟請 (극청) — to urge repeatedly; to petition earnestly

亟欲 (극욕) — to desire eagerly

亟發 (극발) — to arise suddenly or repeatedly

亟作 (극작) — to act frequently; to do continually

亟至 (극지) — to arrive swiftly

亟言 (극언) — to speak repeatedly

In classical Chinese usage, 亟 alternated between the adverbial sense “often, repeatedly” and the adjectival sense “urgent.”

For example, in the Zuo Zhuan (左傳·成公十年):

「晉侯亟使荀首如秦。」

“The Duke of Jin repeatedly sent Xun Shou to Qin.”

Thus, 亟 functions much like the adverb “frequently,” emphasizing repetition or insistence.

In ancient calligraphy and seal forms, 亟 appears as a compact and symmetrical structure, visually distinct but etymologically related to 極 (극, “extreme”), which adds 木 (“tree”) atop 亟 to convey “utmost point, pole, culmination.”

Hence:

亟 - urgency, repetition, striving

極 - culmination, utmost limit, perfection

The Kangxi Dictionary (康熙字典) gives several glosses:

「亟，數也，疾也，急也。」

“亟 means frequent, fast, and urgent.”

Because of its complex and archaic form, 亟 is rarely used in modern Chinese or Korean outside of classical quotations or as a name character (인명용 한자) symbolizing “earnestness” or “diligence.”

In some modern Chinese typefaces, the middle component 丂 is written as 了, producing a simplified variant form.

亟 is an ancient character combining the ideas of urgency, repetition, and action.

Originally depicting repeated human effort or rapid movement, it later came to express both “often” and “swiftly.”

Though rarely used today, it survives in compounds, classical literature, and as the phonetic base of 極 (극, utmost) — marking the semantic evolution from urgent effort to ultimate point.