歐 (ōu)

Europe, ohm; surname

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 欠 represents the meaning and 區 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "vomit". The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》:“歐,吐也。从欠,區聲。”

Original meaning

vomit

Components