The word 出发 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a core action to create a unified concept. The first character, 出, pictographically represents a foot stepping out of a hollow or enclosure, conveying the idea of "to exit" or "to go out". It is joined with 发, which depicts the idea of releasing an arrow from a bow, embodying the notion of "to set off" or "to initiate". Together, they sequentially and logically depict the act of beginning a journey: first initiating the action (发) and then physically moving outward from a point (出), merging to mean "to depart" or "to set out".