契

Ideogram-phonetic compound:

大 (큰 대, “person”) – simplified depiction of a person or form;

刀 (칼 도, “knife”) – represents cutting or carving.

Originally, 契 showed the act of engraving notches into wood or bamboo, symbolizing an engraved pledge or agreement.

From this literal meaning of “to carve”, it developed figurative meanings:

• to make a pact, to seal a covenant - leading to “contract, agreement”;

• to commit or strive earnestly (as if “engraving effort”).

Today it is widely used in terms like 契約 (contract) and retains its sense of binding commitment and effort.