側

Phono-semantic compound consisting of:

人 (사람 인) — semantic component, representing a person or human form.

則 (법칙 칙) — phonetic component, giving the sound cè / cheuk and connoting rule, boundary, or direction.

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

「側，傾也。从人則聲。」

“側 means to incline or lean; composed of 人 (person) and the sound 則.”

Thus, the earliest sense of 側 was “to lean to one side,” referring to the physical act of tilting or turning one’s body.

From this root, the meaning expanded to denote the side or flank itself and later any adjoining position or direction.

Graphical evolution:

Oracle and bronze forms: depict a person (人) slightly bent or leaning.

Seal script: added the phonetic 則, forming a stable structure representing both sound and meaning.

The modern form 側 preserves this balanced composition of body and direction.

In modern Chinese and Korean, 側 retains both its spatial meaning (“side, flank”) and figurative senses (“secondary, supporting, indirect”).

In anatomy and geometry, it denotes the lateral aspect of a body or object.

側 (측) — side; lateral; to incline

側面 (측면) — side; aspect; lateral view

側近 (측근) — close aide; intimate associate

側翼 (측익) — side wing; supporting flank

側頭 (측두) — temporal (as in “temple” of the head)

側目 (측목) — sideways glance; looking askance

側聽 (측청) — to listen secretly or from the side

側立 (측립) — standing aside; bystander

兩側 (양측) — both sides; both parties

右側 (우측) — right side

左側 (좌측) — left side

側面圖 (측면도) — side view (in drawing or projection)

側近者 (측근자) — close adviser or personal staff

The Kangxi Dictionary (康熙字典) glosses:

「側，傾也，偏也，旁也。」

“側 means to incline, to deviate, or to be at the side.”

In early literature, 側 often described posture and bearing — the body turned in respect or humility.

For instance, the Book of Rites (禮記·曲禮上) notes:

「側身以聽。」

“Turn the body slightly when listening,” expressing courtesy and attentiveness.

From this ritual sense, 側 came to imply deference, humility, and awareness of position.

In political and social contexts, 側 extended metaphorically to mean “side or faction,” as in:

「左右兩側」 — “the two sides” or “both parties.”

In Buddhist and poetic language, it can signify leaning or turning toward truth or virtue, as in “to incline one’s heart (側心) toward enlightenment.”

側 began as the image of a person leaning to one side, symbolizing posture and inclination.

It evolved to denote side, direction, or adjacency, and in broader senses, supporting position, subordination, or perspective.

In language, it bridges the physical and relational, from the literal flank of the body to the figurative side of opinion, loyalty, or place.

Thus, 側 expresses both spatial nearness and moral alignment — to stand beside, to incline respectfully, or to view from another angle.