註

Phono-semantic compound:

言 (언, “speech, words”) — semantic, indicating speech or writing.

主 (주, “lord, master”) — phonetic, providing the sound 주 and implying centrality or focus.

The character conveys the idea of attaching words (言) to clarify the main subject (主) — i.e., writing explanatory remarks on a text.

주석(註釋) — commentary, annotation

주문(註文) — explanatory note, marginal comment

주해(註解) — detailed commentary or exegesis

주기(註記) — to record or note down; annotation in documents

In classical Chinese scholarship, 註 was essential in 경학(經學) — the study and interpretation of the Confucian classics. Scholars like Kong Anguo (孔安國) and Zheng Xuan (鄭玄) produced extensive 註 to clarify canonical texts.

The term 註疏 (주소) referred to a system where 註 gave direct explanations of words, and 疏 offered extended commentary.

Over time, 註 and 注 became interchangeable in usage, though 注 is the simplified and more common modern form in both China and Japan.