條

A phono-semantic compound:

木 (tree) — semantic element, indicating connection to trees/wood;

攸 (you, “distant”) — phonetic element, giving the sound 조 (jo) and conveys the idea of extension or direction.

The original image is "a branch extending from a tree", from which all later meanings developed: “a line,” “a strip,” or “an item in a list.”

Meanings expanded naturally from the physical form:

- branch / twig — literal tree parts;

- long, narrow objects — strips, bars, elongated pieces;

- enumerated items — rules, articles, clauses listed in sequence;

- abstract segmentation — conditions, provisions, entries.

Thus, 條 moved from natural structure to logical organization.

In Korean, 條 is highly productive in legal, administrative, and logical vocabulary.

Nature & structure:

조목 (條木) — branches and wood (classical)

지조 (支條) – offshoot, secondary branch

Rules & documents:

조항 (條項) — article; clause

조문 (條文) – article, clause (in laws or regulations)

조건 (條件) — condition

조례 (條例) — ordinance; regulation

Units & measure:

일조 (一條) — one item; one strip; one clause

수조 (數條) — several items

條 emphasizes linearity and separability.

Often contrasted with:

本 — root; base

節 — joint; node

The character reflects a common cognitive metaphor: branch → item → clause.

Related characters:

枝 — branch (botanical emphasis)

本 — root; origin

節 — joint; section

項 — item; heading

款 — clause; provision

Among these, 條 most strongly encodes linear division into discrete units.

Classical / literary usage:

條理分明 — “Clear in order and logic”

逐條列出 — “To list item by item”