The word 优美 is formed by combining the character 优, meaning 'excellent' or 'superior,' which is composed of the radical 亻 (person) and the component 尤 (primarily phonetic but contributing meaning), with the character 美, meaning 'beautiful,' composed of 羊 (sheep) and 大 (big). Together, they semantically merge to convey 'graceful' or 'elegant,' where 优 enhances 美 to indicate a refined or superior beauty.