評

Semantic–phonetic compound:

言 (“speech, words”) — semantic component

平 (“flat, fair, even”) — phonetic component with the idea of fairness / balance.

The underlying concept:

to speak in a balanced way → to judge impartially → to evaluate.

This is consistent across ancient forms.

평가 (評價) — evaluation, assessment

비평 (批評) — criticism

평론 (評論) — commentary, review

품평 (品評) — appraisal, critique

서평 (書評) — book review

여론(輿論)의 평 — public opinion’s assessment

評 directly relates to the idea of balanced speech (平 + 言), thus implying impartial judgment.

In East Asian philosophy, 評 is often associated with ethical judgment, not merely criticism.

Classical citations:

《論語·子路》 (The Analects)

「其行己也恭，其事上也敬，其養民也惠，是謂三德。子路曰：『未可以為君子乎？』子曰：『可以為君子矣。』曰：『未可以為大夫乎？』子曰：『可以為大夫矣。』曰：『未可以為士乎？』子曰：『可以為士矣。』曰：『未可以為評乎？』子曰：『未可。』」

After describing three virtues, Zilu asks whether such a man can be a gentleman, a minister, or a scholar; Confucius answers “yes” to each. But when Zilu asks whether he is fit to “judge others (評),” Confucius replies “not yet.”

This shows 評 as an act requiring high moral discernment.

《後漢書》 (Book of the Later Han Dynasty)

「群臣皆進評其可否。」

“The officials all submitted evaluations of its merits and faults.”

《廣雅》 (Guangya)

「評，議也。」

“‘評’ means to deliberate or discuss.”