員

Phono-semantic compound:

囗 (위, enclosure) – semantic, indicating something enclosed or counted.

貝 (패, cowrie shell, money) – phonetic in traditional etymology, but also carries semantic value of money/counting.

According to Shuowen Jiezi, the character was originally explained as “enclosure 囗 + shell 貝” → “counting shells, then by extension counting people.”

However, oracle bone and bronze inscriptions show that this is a folk etymology: the true ancient form is 𪔅 (囗 + 鼎), later regularized into 員.

人員 (인원) — personnel, staff, members

官員 (관원) — official

成員 (성원) — member

會員 (회원) — association member

員數 (원수) — number of people

In Korean, the dominant reading today is 원, especially in compounds relating to personnel or membership.

When meaning to add, to increase or when used in names/surnames, also read as 운 (un).

Example: the reduplicated form 員員 (운운) means “crowded, bustling with people.”

As a surname, 運 (운) derives from people who took this character from Wu Zixu (伍員, 오자서)’s name out of admiration. Wu Zixu (伍員, 오자서) was a Chinese general of the State of Wu during the Spring and Autumn period. He is remembered as a folk hero for his loyalty, filial piety, and his determination to avenge his family.