絹

Phono-semantic compound:

糸 (실 사, “thread, silk”) — semantic element, indicating fabric/textile.

肙 (연, “silkworm larva / insect name”) — phonetic element, suggesting sound.

Thus, originally denoted “silk threads / silk fabric produced from silkworms.”

絹織物 (견직물) — silk fabric

生絹 (생견) — raw silk

絹布 (견포) — silk cloth

絹書 (견서) — silk manuscripts (ancient Chinese texts written on silk)

Historically, before paper became widespread, silk (絹) was used as a writing material in ancient China, alongside bamboo slips (竹簡).

Distinguished from 綢 (주, “satin, damask”) and other specialized silk fabrics.

In Korean, primarily read 견, used in compounds (견직물, 생견).