澤
- pond, marsh, swamp;
- moist, damp, glistening;
- benefit, favor, grace;
Etymology
Phono-semantic compound:
水 (water radical) – semantic, indicating relation to water;
睪 (to watch, to observe) – phonetic element.
Original image: a low-lying depression where water gathers - “pond, marsh.”
Extended meanings:
- “moist, wet, shining” – from water-soaked land.
- “benefit, favor, blessing” – by metaphorical extension, fertile wetlands bringing abundance.
Semantic range:
- geographical: pond, swamp, marshland
- physical: moist, damp, shining with water
- abstract: grace, favor, blessing, kindness
Usage in Korean
Closely related to meanings of fertility and blessing, as wetlands were vital for ancient agriculture.
혜택 (惠澤) – favor, benefit, blessing
은택 (恩澤) – grace, benevolence
호택 (湖澤) – lakes and marshes
윤택 (潤澤) – moist, prosperous, enriched
관택 (灌澤) – irrigated marshland
- 水田中十 (EWLJ)
- ⿰ 氵 睪