The word "卑贱" is formed by combining the character "卑", which denotes lowliness or humility, with "贱", which signifies low value or baseness. "卑" is a pictographic character originally depicting a low object, while "贱" is composed of the radical "贝" (shell, representing value) and the component "戋" (implying minimal amount), together suggesting little worth. In combination, these characters reinforce each other to express the meaning of being lowly, humble, or inferior in status and value.