The Chinese word **名额 (míng'é)** is a compound noun formed by combining two meaningful characters: **名 (míng)**, which means "name" or "person," and **额 (é)**, which means "quota," "amount," or "allotted number." Together, they create a logical semantic unit that literally translates to "a quota of names" or "a number of persons." This construction directly reflects the word's meaning—a limited number of spots, positions, or admissions available for people, such as in a school, competition, or event. It is a standard example of how Chinese forms precise abstract terms by combining concrete, descriptive characters.