勸

Phono-semantic compound:

力 (힘 력) — semantic component, denoting strength, effort, or exertion.

雚 (황새 관) — phonetic component, providing the sound quàn and implying crying out loudly, resonating with the sense of calling or urging.

Thus, 勸 conveys the idea of urging someone to act with strength and will, literally “to exert force through words or example.”

In Shuowen Jiezi (說文解字):

「勸，勉也。从力，雚聲。」

“勸 means to encourage; composed of 力 (‘strength’) and phonetic 雚 (‘guan’).”

勸告 (권고) — to advise; counsel; exhortation

勸勉 (권면) — encouragement; exhortation to effort

勸學 (권학) — exhortation to study; promoting education

勸善 (권선) — encouragement toward goodness or virtue

勸酒 (권주) — to propose or offer a drink

勸進 (권진) — to urge advancement; also used in historical contexts for encouraging a ruler to ascend the throne

勸誘 (권유) — persuasion; inducement

Kangxi Dictionary (康熙字典, vol. 162):

「勸，勉也，誘也，勸人為善也。」

“勸 means to encourage, to persuade, to induce others toward goodness.”

From early times, it encompassed both encouragement and moral persuasion, becoming central to Confucian and civic virtue — the call to act rightly, study diligently, and advance together.

Book of Rites (禮記 · 學記篇):

「君子之教喻也，忠恕而已矣。故能勸人。」

“The teaching of a gentleman lies in sincerity and empathy; thus he is able to encourage others.”

Analects (論語 · 為政篇):

「君子周而不比，小人比而不周。」

— though 勸 does not appear directly, later commentaries use 勸德 (“to encourage virtue”) to gloss Confucius’s meaning of moral influence.

Book of Han (漢書 · 朱雲傳):

「上每勸課百官。」

“The Emperor frequently encouraged and urged the officials” — 勸課 meaning “to encourage diligence in service.”

In Confucian moral philosophy, 勸 embodies ethical persuasion — leading by moral example rather than coercion (以德勸人 “to move others by virtue”).

In Buddhist texts, 勸 is often used in expressions such as 勸發菩提心 (“to exhort one to awaken the bodhi-mind”), signifying spiritual encouragement.

In Joseon administration, the concept of 勸學 (권학) — promoting study and self-cultivation — was integral to state education policy, seen in the 勸學文 (“Admonition on Learning”) by Choe Chiwon and other scholars.

Whether in ritual exhortation (勸進), moral teaching (勸善), or everyday kindness (勸勉), the character 勸 expresses the timeless human act of moving others through sincerity and effort — a call to goodness powered by strength of heart.