台

Used in proper names such as Taiwan (臺灣) and Tiantai (天台).

台 is a phono-semantic compound combining:

口 (입 구) — semantic element meaning “opening” or “base.”

㠯 (써 이) — phonetic element, lending the pronunciation tái / i.

Originally, 台 was a polyphonic and multifunctional character:

The tái reading (土來切) shared sound with 胎 (“embryo”) and referred to celestial or geographic entities such as 三台星 (Three Tai Stars) and 天台山 (Tiantai Mountain).

The i reading (與之切) related to 怡 (“pleasure”) and carried meanings of “I,” “self,” or “joyful.”

Over time, its literal and spatial sense (platform, terrace) became dominant, while its pronoun and emotional senses faded.

台灣 (대만) — Taiwan

舞台 (무대) — stage, platform

講台 (강대) — pulpit, speaker’s platform

平台 (평대) — terrace, platform (now often “digital platform”)

台風 / 颱風 (태풍) — typhoon

In classical China, 台 referred to an elevated terrace used for rituals, imperial audiences, or observatories (靈台, 觀星台).

By extension, it came to symbolize public visibility or high position, much like “stage” in English.

In early texts, the alternative reading i conveyed personal or emotional connotations (“I,” “myself,” “joyful”).

This usage survives only in etymological records and poetic contexts, connecting 台 with characters such as 怡 (delight) and 飴 (sweet).

Because of its meaning “terrace / platform,” 台 appears in numerous place names (e.g., 天台山 (Tiantai mountain), 台北 (Taipei)) and architectural terms (講台 (podium), 觀台 (viewing platform)).

In Chinese cosmology, the 三台星 were three “platform” constellations symbolizing rank and order in the heavens.

In cursive and administrative scripts, the complex form 臺 was often replaced by 台, which shared the same pronunciation.

China (Mainland): 台 officially simplified from 臺 and also designated as the simplified form of 颱.

Japan: 台 replaced 臺 and serves as an alternate form of 颱 in 台風.

Korea: 台 is not officially used as the simplified form of 臺, though it occasionally appears informally.