漁

Phono-semantic compound / semantic-phonetic:

水 (water radical) – semantic, showing relation to water;

魚 (fish) – phonetic, also semantically reinforcing the act of fishing.

Oracle bone script shows the image of a fish being lifted with a line or hook, symbolizing fishing.

Originally, 魚 itself could mean “fish” as well as “to fish,” but over time the act of fishing was separated and expressed with 漁.

Semantic range:

- literal: to catch fish, to fish with net, line, or trap;

- extended: to reap or take advantage of something (metaphorically “fishing for gain”)

어업 (漁業) – fishing industry

어민 (漁民) – fisherman, fishing folk

남획 (濫漁) – overfishing

어장 (漁場) – fishing ground

어구 (漁具) – fishing gear, tackle

漁 can also carry a figurative sense of “taking advantage” or “exploiting,” especially in classical texts.