顧

A phono-semantic compound:

頁 (“head, face”) - provides the semantic element;

雇 (go, “to hire”) - provides the phonetic element.

Common compounds:

回顧 (회고) - to look back, to reminisce;

照顧 (조고) - to take care of, to look after;

顧客 (고객) - customer, client (lit. “one looked after”);

顧慮 (고려) - concern, consideration;

顧問 (고문) - adviser, consultant.

In literature, 顧 often conveys both the literal act of turning back and the figurative act of reflecting on past events.

In Confucian texts, 顧 often implies “turning back” in the sense of reflecting inward, examining one’s conduct in light of propriety and morality.

In Daoist writings, 顧 can carry the nuance of “turning aside” or “looking beyond,” emphasizing detachment or alternative perspectives.

Thus, 顧 extends from the physical action of looking back to the deeper act of introspection and reconsideration.