脫

A phonetic–semantic compound consists of:

肉 (⺼) (“flesh, body”) — semantic component

兌 (태) — phonetic component

Originally, the character expressed removing something from the body, especially clothing.

Semantic development:

- to take off (clothes, armor, skin)

- to separate from the body

- to escape / to break free

- to be exempted or relieved (abstract sense)

This semantic expansion follows a common pattern:

physical removal → liberation → abstract freedom.

脫衣 (탈의) — to take off clothes

脫出 (탈출) — escape

脫身 (탈신) — to free oneself

脫落 (탈락) — to fall off; to drop out

In philosophical and religious contexts, 脫 often implies release from suffering or constraint.

解脫 (해탈) — liberation from suffering or rebirth (Buddhism)

脫俗 (탈속) — detachment from worldly affairs

Related characters:

兌 — phonetic component; related to exchange or release

解 — to untie, loosen (semantic neighbor)

While 벗다 (to take off clothes) is the most concrete sense, modern usage strongly favors 탈출 (escape) and 탈락 (drop out).

The character often carries a positive nuance of liberation, especially in religious or philosophical contexts.