帖

A phono-semantic compound:

巾 (cloth) — semantic component, reflects the early practice of writing on silk, cloth, or fabric strips

占 (to occupy; divine) — phonetic component, while 占 provides the sound (cheop / tiě)

Originally, 帖 referred to a piece of cloth or silk used for writing, especially short written records, labels, or attached notes. From this physical medium, the meaning expanded to cover documents and registers more generally.

Semantic development:

- written strip on cloth or silk

- official document or note

- ledger or register

- receipt or written proof

This development parallels other document-related characters that evolved from physical writing materials to administrative records.

문서첩 (文書帖) — document file

서첩 (書帖) — calligraphy album

장부첩 (帳簿帖) — account ledger

체지 (帖紙) — receipt (historical / formal)

Special Korean usage: 체지 (帖紙)

체지 (帖紙) — a receipt or written acknowledgment of money received

In this specific context 帖 is read 체, not 첩. This is a specialized historical and legal reading, not productive in modern vocabulary. Such dual readings are typical in older administrative terminology.

The strong association of 帖 with calligraphy, records, and administrative writing reflects East Asia’s long bureaucratic tradition, where short written slips played a crucial role in governance, taxation, and correspondence.

帖 appears frequently in administrative and literary texts, especially in:

- household registers

- official notices

- correspondence

- Buddhist and Confucian records

Related characters:

書 — writing; document

簡 — letter; bamboo slip

牘 — official document

簿 — register; ledger

牒 — official dispatch; record