刊

Phono-semantic compound:

刀 (도, “knife”) – provides the meaning (cutting or carving with a blade);

干 (간, “shield”) – provides the sound.

刊 combines 刀 and 干, literally evoking the act of cutting or carving.

From the idea of carving text into wood or stone, the meaning expanded to publishing written works.

간행 (刊行) — publication

출간 (出版 / 出刊) — to publish

정기간행물 (定期刊行物) — periodical

刊 retains a formal and institutional tone in modern usage.

It is rarely used alone as a verb in colloquial speech, appearing mostly in compound nouns.

The character preserves the historical memory of engraving as the foundation of publishing.

Related characters:

刻 — to carve; to engrave deeply

彫 — to sculpt

版 — printing plate; edition

刷 — to print

書 — writing; book

Classical citations:

《後漢書》 (Book of the Later Han Dynasty)

「刊石以記其事」

“They engraved the events on stone in order to record them.”

Scholarly tradition

刊本 — printed edition (as opposed to manuscript copies)