About
徭 is a phono-semantic compound: the semantic radical 彳 (step, walk) on the left and the phonetic 䍃 on the right. It originally signified corvée, the compulsory labor imposed by the state or feudal lords on their subjects. The step radical suggests the travel and physical toil endured by conscripted laborers building public works or serving on military campaigns. This meaning of state-mandated labor has remained central, and the character often appears in terms connected to taxation and conscription.
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