訃

A phono-semantic compound consisting of:

言 — semantic component, clearly indicates verbal or written communication;

卜 — phonetic component, supplying the sound (부 / fù).

The original sense is “to announce (news),” which later specialized to the meaning “to announce a death.”

Semantic development:

- to announce news;

- to notify formally;

- specifically: to announce a death.

Over time, the meaning narrowed primarily to obituary notices.

In Korean, 訃 appears almost exclusively in funeral-related vocabulary.

부고 (訃告) — obituary notice

부음 (訃音) — news of someone’s death

The character has a restricted semantic field in modern usage.

訃 differs from 告 in that it carries a solemn, funeral-specific nuance.

Related characters:

告 — to announce

報 — report

弔 — to mourn

喪 — funeral; mourning