柬 (Jiǎn)

abbr. for 柬埔寨[Jian3 pu3 zhai4], Cambodia

Etymology

Two dots added to 束 (bind; bunch). Based on the original meaning "condense, select", now written as 揀. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》:“柬,分別簡之也。从束,从八。八,分別也。”

Original meaning

condense, select

Components