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This hanja is 자(子).

It originally meant “child” or “offspring.” As the society became more male-centered, it specifically came to mean “son.” Eventually, its meaning expanded to include “person” in general.

During the historical period when Japanese-style names were forced upon Koreans, names ending in 자(子), like “무자(撫子, なでしこ, NADESHIKO)” or “순자(順子, じゅんこ, JUNKO)” became widespread. This naming style remained for a long time, which is why you can still see it in the names of the grandmother generation in Korea today.

Interestingly, you’ll also see 자(子) at the end of many objects. This is due to Chinese influence, where it functions more like a suffix meaning “thing” rather than a person.

Let’s look at some Sino-Korean words using 자(子).

• 여자 (女子) – woman
• 남자 (男子) – man
• 왕자 (王子) – prince
• 손자 (孫子) – grandson
• 제자 (弟子) – disciple, student
• 자식 (子息) – children, offspring
• 효자 (孝子) – filial son
• 모자 (母子) – mother and son
• 부자 (父子) – father and son

• 모자 (帽子) – hat, cap
• 의자 (椅子) – chair
• 탁자 (卓子) – table
• 과자 (菓子) – snack, cookie, sweets
• 액자 (額子) – frame (for a picture)
• 상자 (箱子) – box, case
• 판자 (板子) – plank, board
• 전자 (電子) – electron
• 박자 (拍子) – beat, rhythm
• 이자 (利子) – interest (money)
• 유전자 (遺傳子) – gene

From family names to the chairs you sit on, 자(子) is everywhere in Korean!

Reference

• Wikipedia > Sōshi-kaimei
• 경기일보 > 오피니언 > [지지대] 창씨개명된 우리 풀꽃
• 창원대신문 > [숨은이야기 찾기] 할머니 이름 속에 숨겨진 아픈 역사
• Hi!Penpal! > 일본 이름 발음/표기 검색