包

Compound ideogram representing the act of enclosing something within.

勹 — pictographic component meaning “to wrap, to enclose,” showing a curved arm or wrapping motion.

巳 — originally depicting a curled fetus or snake; here symbolizes “something enclosed within.”

Together, they depict a womb enclosing a fetus, conveying the fundamental idea of “to wrap, enclose, or contain.”

Thus, the earliest form of 包 literally illustrated “the womb enclosing life.”

包子 (포자) — steamed bun (dumpling)

包裹 (포과) — parcel, package

包裝 (포장) — wrapping, packaging

包括 (포괄) — to include, encompass

包容 (포용) — to tolerate, contain emotionally

包辦 (포판) — to take care of everything; to monopolize

包工 (포공) — contracted labor

包圍 (포위) — to surround, encircle

細胞 (세포) cell (biological term)

氣泡 (기포) — air bubble

砲 / 炮 (대포) — cannon (same phonetic root)

─── Derived characters ───

包 serves as a phonetic component in many derived characters, nearly all pronounced with the –pao / –po sound:

胞 (포) — cell, womb

抱 (포) — to embrace

炮 / 砲 (포) — cannon, gun

飽 (포) — full (after eating)

雹 (박) — hail (irregular reading)

All these derivatives retain the semantic idea of enclosure or fullness, consistent with the meaning of 包.

Other related characters:

勹 — to wrap (semantic core)

巳 — serpent; fetus (enclosed element)

包 serves as a phonetic component in many derived characters, nearly all pronounced with the –pao / –po sound:

胞 (포) — cell, womb

抱 (포) — to embrace

炮 / 砲 (포) — cannon, gun

飽 (포) — full (after eating)

雹 (박) — hail (irregular reading)

All these derivatives retain the semantic idea of enclosure or fullness, consistent with the meaning of 包.

Other related characters:

勹 — to wrap (semantic core)

巳 — serpent; fetus (enclosed element)