The word 克服 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a layer of meaning to create a unified concept. The first character, 克 (kè), in its ancient pictographic origins, conveyed the idea of "to subdue" or "to overcome", often with a sense of strength or capability. The second character, 服 (fú), originally meant "to submit" or "to yield", as in causing something to comply. When joined, the compound 克服 pictorially suggests the process of first exerting force to overcome an obstacle (克), resulting in its submission or yielding to your will (服), thus comprehensively meaning "to conquer" or "to overcome" a difficulty.