The word 丧命 is formed by combining two characters: 丧 (sàng), which carries the core meaning of "to lose" or "to forfeit", and 命 (mìng), which means "life" or "destiny". Together, they create a vivid, almost literal image of life being severed or taken away, resulting in the meaning "to lose one's life" or "to meet death". It encapsulates the event as a definitive loss, where life itself is the direct object that is forfeited.