苟

Phono-semantic compound:

苟 = 艸 (“grass,” semantic) + 句 (“phrase/sentence,” phonetic)

艸 gives the original semantic field: a type of plant.

句 supplies the sound (MC: kuʌwX / 구).

Over time, the original “name of a plant” meaning disappeared, and the word became purely phonetic loan for several adverbial and adjectival meanings such as 'truly, only, merely, carelessly'.

Semantic evolution:

Originally the name of a plant → absorbed into grammar as an adverb/particle → acquired moral connotations (perfunctory, shameful, compromising).

Adverbial uses (classical-style):

진실로 — truly, indeed

만약 — if, supposing

잠시/임시로 — temporarily

Modern Korean Sino-word:

구차(苟且)하다 — to be shabby, disgraceful, compromising one’s dignity

This is the most common Korean use today.

Other compounds:

苟同 (구동) — to blindly agree; agree carelessly

苟安 (구안) — to seek only personal comfort; short-sighted ease

False associations:

Due to internet slang and modern colloquial usage, some people mistakenly associate 苟 with meanings like “to cling to life,” but these are secondary and modern.

Important nuance in classical Chinese:

苟 — “if (and only if)” or “if indeed”

苟且 — negative meaning: sloppy, short-sighted, compromising dignity

Classical citations:

《論語·里仁》 (Analects 4:5)

「君子欲訥於言而敏於行。苟日新，日日新，又日新。」

“If one can truly renew oneself daily, let each day be a new beginning, and again a new beginning” — 苟 = truly, indeed.

《論語·衛靈公》 (Analects 15:29)

「苟有用我者，吾其為東周乎！」

“If there were anyone who would employ me, I might make the Eastern Zhou flourish!” — 苟 = if by any chance; if indeed.

《孟子·滕文公下》 (Mencius)

「苟為不義，雖富且貴，於我如浮雲。」

“If wealth and rank are obtained unrighteously, to me they are like drifting clouds” — 苟為 = if (someone) acts…; conditional marker.

《史記·滑稽列傳》 (Records of the Grand Historian)

「苟且之臣，不可與謀。」

“A careless, mediocre minister is not someone with whom one can plan affairs” — 苟且 = careless, sloppy, perfunctory.