全
- whole, complete, entire;
Etymology
Originally a compound ideograph:
玉 (jade) symbolized purity and preciousness;
入 (enter) over it suggested covering, enclosing, or preserving something valuable.
In early usage, 全 referred to pure, unblemished jade. Over time, the meaning broadened to “intact,” “whole,” and then “entire.”
Usage in Korean
全國 (전국) – nationwide;
安全 (안전) – safety, security;
全力 (전력) – all one’s strength.
Alternative forms
Note that in Japan, Mainland China and Vietnam, the top of the character is 人, while in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea, the top is 入, which is the historical form found in the Kangxi Dictionary.
全
온전할
전
onjeonhal
jeon
Kangxi radical:11, 入 + 4
Strokes:6
Unicode:U+5168
Cangjie input:
- 人一土 (OMG)
Composition:
- ⿱ 人 王 (G J V)
- ⿱ 入 王 (H T K)