御

禦

yù

Rank #1381

Definitions

yù (adjective) imperial; royal

yù (verb) to govern; to control

yù (verb) to defend; to resist

Etymology

Depicts a person (卩) using a pestle (午). 午 also represents the sound. The 辵 (walk) component was later added to emphasize action. Based on the original meaning, “to use, to control”. The meaning later shifted to “to govern”. In simplified Chinese 御 is also used to mean "to resist", while in traditional Chinese this meaning is written with a separate character 禦.

Semantic: 彳 Phonetic: 卸

About

The character "御" originated from the semantic field of controlling chariots, its structure combining elements suggesting movement and management to convey the act of driving. This concrete meaning gradually expanded into more abstract domains of control and authority, leading to its specific application in imperial contexts where it denoted the sovereign's command. For the related concept of defense or resistance, the traditional form "禦" was utilized, incorporating an additional component associated with ritual, though over time the semantic functions of these characters increasingly overlapped. Through this process, "御" accumulated a layered meaning, encompassing everything from direct physical guidance to metaphorical expressions of mastery and imperial prerogative.