說

The glyph operates on two distinct semantic tracks:

1. Speech/Discourse (read as //shuō//): To speak, say, or talk. This often implies discourse with a specific objective—such as explaining, arguing a point, laying out a case, or persuading. It can extend to scolding or upbraiding.

2. Emotion/State (read as //yuè//): Joy, pleasure, or satisfaction.

When read as //shuō//, the glyph is typically a transitive verb. In contexts of persuasion, it may function causatively (speaking to someone in order to effect a change in their mind or behavior).

The reading depends on whether the glyph functions as an action of speech (//shuō//) or describes a state of mind/adjective (//yuè//).

When read as //yuè//, this glyph is used interchangeably with 樂.

Variants include:

• Simplified: 説 (U+8BF4)
• Z-variant: 𢩔 (U+8AAC)

In some early texts, the distinction between the act of successful persuasion (//shuō//) and the resulting state of satisfaction (//yuè//) can be fluid; be alert to this semantic overlap.