染

A phono-semantic compound with strong semantic reinforcement:

水 (water) — semantic component

木 (wood) — semantic component

冘 — phonetic element

Originally, 染 described the act of dyeing wooden or plant-based materials using liquid dye. Water represents the liquid dye, while wood represents the object being dyed.

From this physical process arose abstract meanings:

- ideas seeping into the mind

- habits gradually influencing behavior

- moral corruption spreading silently

Thus, 染 emphasizes gradual, penetrating change rather than sudden transformation.

염색 (染色) — dyeing; coloration

감염 (感染) — infection; contagion

오염 (汚染) — pollution; contamination

염습 (染習) — to acquire habits; to be influenced

염병 (染病) — infectious disease (classical / literary)

Related characters:

汚 — dirty (negative staining)

濡 — wet (physical soaking)

化 — change (transformation)

習 — habit (influenced behavior)

染 often appears in moral philosophy to describe environmental influence on character.

Unlike verbs meaning “force” or “impose,” 染 implies passive, gradual absorption.

Once something is 染, classical texts often imply irreversibility.

The character bridges craft (dyeing), biology (infection), and ethics (corruption).