考

It is derived from 老 (ro, “old”).

In oracle bone script (甲骨文 jiǎgǔwén), 考 and 老 shared the same form.

In bronze inscriptions (金文 jinwen), the component 丂 (ko, phonetic) was added, distinguishing 考 from 老.

In the Shuowen Jiezi (説文解字 shuōwén jiězì), the two characters are explained with reference to each other, showing that originally both meant “old, aged.”

Later, 考 developed the derived sense “to think deeply, like an elder.” Over time, its original meaning (“old”) disappeared, while the derived sense extended into new meanings:

“to think, to consider” - “to test, to examine, to investigate.”

Additionally, in Old Chinese 考 also carried the sense “to knock, to strike.” This is connected with the character 攷 (고, to examine, to test), which originally meant “to knock.” 考 and 攷 were used interchangeably.

Common compounds:

고려 (考慮) – consideration, deliberation

고사 (考査) – test, exam

참고 (參考) – reference

상고 (上考 / 商考) – ancient examination, or investigation