廚

A phono-semantic compound:

广 (shelter; building) — semantic component, indicates an indoor space or structure

尌 (to stand; to set upright) — phonetic component

The original idea is “a designated indoor place where vessels or food are set and prepared.”

In early usage, 廚 often referred to institutional kitchens, especially:

- palace kitchens

- temple kitchens

- military or governmental food facilities

Later generalized to mean any kitchen, including domestic ones.

廚 can metonymically refer to culinary work, cooking staff, or food administration.

부엌 / 주방 (廚房) — kitchen

요리사 (廚師) — cook; chef

주방장 (廚長) — head cook; chief chef

궁중주방 (宮廚) — palace kitchen

사찰주방 (寺廚) — temple kitchen

Semantic relatives:

灶 — stove; hearth

釜 — cauldron; cooking pot

食 — food; eating

饌 — prepared food; dishes

In Buddhist temples, the kitchen (寺廚) was an important communal space.

In East Asian court systems, kitchens were often bureaucratized units.

The modern word 셰프 (chef) corresponds most closely to 廚師.

Classical citations:

《周禮》 (The Rites of Zhou)

「廚人掌膳羞之事」

“The kitchen officials manage the preparation of meals.”

《史記》 (Records of the Grand Historian)

「出入宮廚」

“Entering and leaving the palace kitchens.”

These examples show 廚 as an institutional and administrative space, not merely a room.

㕑 (U+3551) — Variant with 厂 instead of 广

橱 (U+6A71) — “Cabinet; cupboard,” with 木 added