諾

Phono-semantic compound:

言 (말씀 언) — semantic element indicating speech, reply, verbal consent.

若 (같을 약 / 반야 야) — phonetic element providing the sound 낙.

Thus 諾 originally meant “verbal agreement” or “saying yes.”

Widely used in Korean formal language, law, administration, and classical Korean literature.

Consent / permission:

諾 (허락) — 허가함; permission; to allow

受諾 (수락) — 받아들임; to accept; to agree to receive

承諾 (승낙) — 동의하고 허락함; consent; approval

Promise / commitment:

應諾 (응낙) — 요청에 응하여 허락함; agreeing in response

諾言 (낙언) — 약속한 말; a promise; pledged words

諾許 (낙허) — 수락하고 허락함; approval; consent

Response / answer:

唯諾 (유낙) — 예, 알겠습니다; “yes sir,” obedient assent

諾諾 (낙낙) — 연이어 “예예” 함; humbly replying ‘yes, yes’

諾答 (낙답) — 대답하여 허락함; reply of consent

In Confucian culture, 諾 carries moral weight:

- a promise made must be kept;

- flippant or careless 諾 is criticized.

In classical ethics 《論語》 emphasizes cautious consent, discouraging rash promises.

《論語·子路》 (Analects 13:3)

「子曰：‘剛毅木訥，近仁。’ 子路曰：‘若夫子之言，可謂諾矣。’」

“Zi Lu said: ‘As the Master speaks, it may well be assented to.’”

《孟子·滕文公下》 (Mencius)

「孟子曰：‘諾。’」

“Mencius replied: ‘Yes’” — simple affirmative reply.

《史記·信陵君列傳》 (Records of the Grand Historian)

「諾，諾。」

“Yes, yes” — repeated assent; compliance with urgency.

《後漢書·馬援傳》 (Book of the Later Han Dynasty)

「若能諾我，當共成大功。」

“If you can agree to my proposal, we shall accomplish great achievements together” — 諾 = agree/promissory consent.

《文選·顏延之〈五君咏〉》 (Wenxuan, Anthology of Literature)

「信言不諾。」

“True words require no promises” — These citations confirm the shades of meaning: consent, promise, reply.