槪

Phono-semantic compound:

木 (tree, wood) – semantic element, indicating wooden tools or implements.

旣 (already) – phonetic element.

Originally denoted a wooden board used to level grain in a container (such as a sack or bushel), ensuring even measure. From this concrete sense of “levelling,” the meaning extended metaphorically to “general,” “approximately,” or “overall.”

Semantic range:

- broadly, in general, approximately;

- moral integrity or character (in compounds like 節槪);

- outline, general scope.

대개 (大槪) – generally, mostly

개괄 (槪括) – summary, outline

절개 (節槪) – integrity, fidelity

In traditional Chinese regions, 概 is the standardized form. 槪 remains in Korean usage (as in 大槪).

概 – modern standard variant (esp. in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau), where the left part of 旣 (皀) is slightly modified.

槩 – variant form with 木 placed beneath 旣.