署

Phono-semantic compound:

网 (wǎng, “net”) — semantic, representing organization or enclosure.

者 (zhě, “person, one who”) — phonetic, providing the sound.

The combination suggests a place where matters are collected or administered, much like a net gathers objects — hence the sense of “bureau” or “official office.”

部署 (부서) — department, bureau

公署 (공서) — public office, official bureau

簽署 (첨서) — to sign (a document)

署名 (서명) — signature, to sign one’s name

氣象署 (기상서) — meteorological office

In traditional East Asian administration, 署 denoted a sub-office or local branch of a larger governmental body, often below the level of 司 (department) or 部 (ministry).

Its sense of “registration” or “signing” developed later from the bureaucratic practice of writing one’s name on official records.