挫

A phono-semantic compound composed of:

手 — semantic component meaning “hand; action done by hand;”

坐 — phonetic component indicating the sound (좌 / cuò).

The character originally described pressing or forcing something downward by hand, which later developed the meaning to break, defeat, or suppress.

Semantic development:

- to press down or bend;

- to break or damage;

- to defeat or suppress;

- psychological setback or discouragement.

The meaning expanded from physical breaking to mental or emotional defeat.

좌절 (挫折) — frustration; setback

좌상 (挫傷) — bruise; contusion

좌궐 (挫闕) — failure or collapse (rare)

The most common usage is 좌절 (挫折) meaning frustration or defeat.

The character often appears in words describing setbacks in life, work, or plans.

In medicine, 挫傷 refers to a bruise or soft-tissue injury caused by impact.

Related characters:

折 — to break; to snap

敗 — defeat

傷 — injury

屈 — to bend; to submit

These characters share themes of damage, defeat, or bending under pressure.