狀

Phono-semantic compound:

犬 (dog, 犭 radical) – semantic element, representing living being / form;

爿 (board, bed, “장”) – phonetic element, also associated with object / shape.

Originally described the appearance of a living being (dog + form), then extended to denote shape in general, and later to written forms / documents.

In early texts, 狀 referred to the outward form or condition of things.

Later, it became widely used in bureaucratic and legal contexts to mean petition, document, or official record.

Hence, it retains dual senses: physical form and formal written document.

형상 (形狀) – form, shape, appearance

상황 (狀況) – situation, circumstances

사정서 (事情狀) – written statement, declaration

상태 (狀態) – state, condition

문서 (狀, in historical contexts) – formal petition or document