CJK Ideograph 討

It means “set right,” then “examine” or “attack.” 說文解字 defines it as “to govern”; the classical record extends that into research, searching, public condemnation, and armed suppression. As of 2026, the sources checked here do not establish a first inscription or single inventor.

Chinese uses it in 討論, 檢討, and 討伐. Japanese reads the first two as discussion or review, but 討つ as attack or avenge. Use the whole word, not 討 alone.

誅 is a documented lexical neighbor: 說文 defines it as “討也,” while 討 is “治也.”