The Significance of Hanja: Understanding the Roots of Words

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This book, aptly subtitled "A Cultural Dictionary of Hanja," kindly informs readers about the origins and meanings of commonly used Hanja words. I enjoyed learning the etymology of words frequently used in everyday life, and although it was written in an accessible manner, it was by no means a light read. Even after having set aside Hanja since elementary school, I found it engaging.

While reading, I realized how many words I had used without knowing their meanings. For example, the words for "doctor," "martyr," and "governor" may seem similar, but they are differentiated by whether they resisted with force, expressed their intentions through death, or harbored great ambitions for their country. I also discovered that terms like "eighteen" used in karaoke and words associated with honor are derived from Japanese Hanja. The fact that words like "narak" and "asura" were influenced by Indian Buddhism was particularly fascinating. It turns out that "unfortunate" and "deferment" are Hanja words originating from imaginary animals. The word "deferment" combines a timid monkey and an elephant, and while it is often used in legal contexts, its meaning is surprisingly cute.

I also learned that there were discriminatory connotations in words that distinguish left from right. The term "left transfer," meaning to be demoted, uses the character for "left," while the right side of Gyeongbokgung Palace was reserved for high-ranking officials and nobles, and the left side for commoners. Among the three chief ministers in the Joseon Dynasty, the left minister held a higher position than the right minister, but for a different reason. Some words I thought were pure Korean turned out to be Hanja. The word "sled" was the most shocking; it is derived from "snow" and "horse" in Hanja, meaning "snow horse." The word for "it" in the game of tag originates from the "surlagoon," which patrolled the capital. Although not mentioned in the book, there may also be words that I assumed were Hanja but are actually pure Korean.

Just like people, words have roots, and knowing those roots helps us understand language better. In today's climate, where overall literacy is a concern, this book is a refreshing rain amidst a drought.