耕

A phono-semantic compound consisting of:

耒 (plow; farming tool) — semantic component, indicating agriculture; 井 (jǐng) — phonetic component, providing the sound. The structure conveys using a farming tool to work the land, forming the meaning “to plow.”
Semantic development: - farming tool (耒);

- working the soil;

- cultivating land;

- agriculture as a way of life.

Thus, 耕 evolved from tool-based action to broader concept of farming.

경작 (耕作) — cultivation; farming

농경 (農耕) — agriculture; farming

자경 (自耕) — self-cultivation (farming one’s own land)

耒, the radical, represents an ancient plowing tool, highlighting the agricultural origin of the character. The act of 耕 is foundational in traditional societies, symbolizing sustenance and labor. In philosophical contexts, cultivation of land is sometimes metaphorically linked to self-cultivation. The character reflects the importance of agriculture as a core element of early civilization.
Related characters: 農 — agriculture

作 — to make; to work

田 — field

種 — to plant

Among these, 耕 specifically denotes the act of preparing land, especially plowing.