屑

A phono-semantic compound:

尸 (dead body) — semantic component, indicating remains or residue

肖 (초) — phonetic component, supplying the sound (설 / xiè)

The original sense points to what is left behind after something is broken down, hence crumbs or powder.

Semantic development:

- physical fragments — powder, crumbs

- remnants / residue — what remains after breaking

- figurative triviality — something insignificant or contemptible

In Korean, 屑 appears mostly in Sino-Korean compounds and written language; everyday speech favors native words like 부스러기 (crumbs).

Common compounds:

설말 / 설가루 (屑末) — powder; fine crumbs

쇄설 (碎屑) — fragments; debris

설인 (屑人) — despicable person; petty individual (literary)

Compared with 粉 (powder), 屑 emphasizes irregular fragments or leftovers, not finely ground material.

Related characters (fragments & residue):

碎 — to break; fragments

粉 — powder

末 — end; fine particles

殘 — remainder

滓 — dregs; sediment

Among these, 屑 combines physical fragmentation with strong figurative devaluation.