讚

A phono-semantic compound:

言 — speech, words (semantic component)

贊 — assist; support (phonetic component)

The character conveys the idea of using words (言) to support or uplift someone (贊). From this arose the meaning to praise or commend verbally, especially in a public or formal context.

칭찬 (稱讚) — praise; commendation

찬미 (讚美) — glorification; extolling (often religious or literary)

찬사 (讚辭) — words of praise; eulogy

찬동 (讚同) — approval; agreement

찬양하다 (讚揚하다) — to praise highly; to exalt

讚 appears frequently in:

- classical prose

- Buddhist texts

- historical biographies

It is often used to summarize or conclude moral evaluation of a person’s life or deeds.

讚 emphasizes verbal recognition, unlike purely emotional admiration.

In Buddhist contexts, it often refers to praising the Buddha or the Dharma.

In East Asian moral discourse, praise (讚) is traditionally paired with criticism (譏 / 貶) as tools of ethical instruction.

Related characters:

稱 — to name; to call (verbal act)

美 — beautiful; good (object of praise)

揚 — raise; promote (amplification)

褒 — commend (close synonym)

Among Korean educational-use Hanja, 讚 has one of the highest stroke counts, making it visually and graphically distinctive.

In Simplified Chinese, 讚 and 贊 are merged into 赞, collapsing the semantic distinction between praise and support.