The word 初步 is formed by combining the character 初 (chū), meaning "initial" or "beginning", with the character 步 (bù), meaning "step" or "stage". Together, they create a metaphorical compound where 步 (step) is conceptually modified by 初 (initial) to express the idea of a "first step", thereby representing an early, introductory, or preliminary phase of a process or development.