The word 内在 is formed by combining two characters whose core meanings conceptually merge to express a new, abstract idea. 内 (nèi) literally means "inside" or "internal", establishing a spatial sense of interiority. 在 (zài) fundamentally means "to exist", "to be present at", or "to reside". When placed together, the compound creates the notion of "that which exists inside", moving from a physical location to describe inherent, essential qualities that reside within a person or thing, thus conveying the sense of being "intrinsic" or "inner".