The word 传单 is formed by combining two meaningful characters: 传 (chuán), which carries the idea of transmitting or spreading, and 单 (dān), which refers to a sheet or list. Together, they create a compound where the first character describes the action or purpose and the second specifies the physical form, directly picturing the concept of a "handbill" or "flyer", a single sheet of paper made for widespread distribution.