缺

A phono-semantic compound consisting of:

缶 (장군 부) — an earthen jar or pot, representing the semantic field of containers or vessels.

夬 (쾌괘 쾌) — the phonetic component, lending the sound quē / gyeol.

The original meaning was “a cracked or chipped vessel,” i.e., a jar with a missing piece.

From this physical sense, the abstract idea of something lacking or incomplete naturally developed.

결핍 (缺乏) — deficiency; lack

결점 (缺點) — flaw; defect

결석 (缺席) — absence (from class or meeting)

공결 (空缺) — vacancy; unfilled position

결의 (缺義) — lack of righteousness

In everyday usage, it carries both physical and figurative meanings — from a missing piece to a personal shortcoming.

In Confucian and Daoist contexts, 缺 came to symbolize imperfection as a natural state of being — echoing the idea that “the unfilled is useful” (不完之美).

An ancient proverb states:

月盈則虧, 水滿則溢 — “When the moon is full, it begins to wane; when water is full, it overflows.”

Thus, 缺 not only denotes absence or flaw but also embodies the philosophy of balance and humility — the beauty of incompleteness that sustains harmony.