刷

A phono-semantic compound composed of:

刀 (knife; blade) — semantic component, indicates cutting, scraping, or forceful action;

𡰯 (phonetic) — phonetic component, supplies the original sound value and contributes to the sense of vigorous, repetitive motion.

The character originally denoted scraping or brushing with force, from which later meanings developed.

Meanings expanded through a clear action-based chain:

- scrape / brush — physical sweeping or brushing;

- apply repeatedly — brushing ink onto blocks or surfaces;

- printing — mechanical reproduction of text and images;

- modern extensions — swiping a card, refreshing a screen, repeated execution or elimination.

Thus, 刷 consistently preserves the idea of forceful, repeated action.

The character bridges manual craft (brushing, scraping) and industrial reproduction (printing).

Its modern semantic spread shows how physical metaphors persist in digital language.

Printing & publishing:

인쇄 (印刷) — printing

초쇄 / 재쇄 (初刷 / 再刷) — first print / reprint

n쇄 — nth printing (edition count)

Physical action:

솔질하다 / 쓸다 (刷) — to brush; to sweep

刷 emphasizes mechanical repetition with contact.

Often contrasted with:

印 — to stamp; to mark (single impression)

刻 — to carve; to engrave

In digital contexts, the tactile action is metaphorically preserved.

Related characters:

印 — seal; stamp

刻 — carve; engrave

掃 — sweep

洗 — wash

新 — renew (semantic overlap with 刷新)

Among these, 刷 highlights repetitive contact-driven action, rather than a single mark or cut.

Classical / practical usage:

一刷而成 — “Completed in one printing”

反覆刷之 — “Brush it repeatedly”