湖

Phono-semantic compound composed of:

水 (물 수) — semantic component, indicating “water.”

胡 (되 호) — phonetic component, providing the sound ho and connoting expansion or openness.

Together, they convey the idea of broad, collected water — still yet expansive, mirroring the open nature of 胡.

湖水 (호수) — lake; lake water

湖邊 (호변) — lakeside

湖畔 (호반) — lakeshore

淡水湖 (담수호) — freshwater lake

鹹水湖 (염수호) — salt lake

人工湖 (인공호) — artificial lake

洞庭湖 (동정호) — Lake Dongting (China)

西湖 (서호) — West Lake (Hangzhou)

太湖 (태호) — Lake Tai

琵琶湖 (비파호) — Lake Biwa (Japan)

In toponyms, 湖 overwhelmingly dominates over related water terms like 浦 (포, bay), 池 (지, pond), or 潭 (담, deep pool), as it denotes larger, more tranquil expanses of water.

When even larger, the character 海 (해, sea) may be used instead.

Since ancient times, lakes (湖) were regarded as sources of fertility, beauty, and reflection.

In Chinese civilization, many great cultural centers formed around famous lakes — such as West Lake (西湖) in Hangzhou, celebrated for its poetic serenity.

In classical poetry, 湖 symbolized tranquility and introspection, a mirror of both nature and the human heart.

Poets saw in the still waters of a lake the balance between depth and calm — neither as vast as the sea nor as restless as the river.

「湖光秋月兩相和，潭面無風鏡未磨。」 — 蘇軾 (Su Shi), West Lake Song.

“The lake’s light and autumn moon harmonize; on its surface, without wind, it lies like an unpolished mirror.”

湖 embodies stillness, reflection, and contained depth.

The water radical (水) represents emotion, adaptability, and life’s flow, while 胡 (expanse, openness) gives the sense of breadth and generosity.

Together, they form the image of broad calmness — a space vast yet serene.

「湖者，水之靜也。」

“The lake is the stillness of water.”

As rivers gather and rest in a lake, so too do human thoughts settle into reflection — a natural metaphor for contemplation, balance, and emotional clarity.

湖 teaches the virtue of stillness within abundance.

It reminds us that vastness need not mean turmoil — that peace, like deep water, can hold immense depth.

「心若湖水，靜而能照萬象。」

“When the heart is like a lake — still — it can reflect all things.”

Thus, 湖 stands as a character of tranquility, harmony, and introspection, symbolizing the calm surface under which life, beauty, and wisdom quietly dwell.