The Chinese word 叛变 (pànbiàn), meaning "to defect" or "to betray", is a compound formed by combining two semantically related characters: 叛 (pàn), which itself means "to betray" or "to rebel", and 变 (biàn), meaning "to change" or "to transform". Together, they create a nuanced meaning where 叛 provides the core concept of betrayal or rebellion, and 变 adds the dimension of a transformative shift or alteration in allegiance. This structure follows a common pattern in Chinese lexicon known as a coordinative compound, where both elements contribute related meanings to intensify and specify the overall concept, effectively conveying the idea of "changing sides through an act of betrayal".