The Chinese word **保养** is formed through the common morphological process of **compounding**, where two independent characters, each with their own meaning, are combined to create a new, more specific term. The first character, **保** (*bǎo*), carries the core meaning of "to protect, preserve, or maintain," while the second, **养** (*yǎng*), means "to nurture, cultivate, or care for." When combined, their meanings blend and extend metaphorically to form the verb **保养**, which comprehensively means "to take good care of through maintenance and nurturing," applicable to objects (like machinery), one's health, or appearance, emphasizing both proactive preservation and restorative care.