The Chinese word 启示 (qǐshì), meaning "revelation" or "enlightenment", is a compound formed through the combination of two meaningful characters. The first character, 启 (qǐ), carries the core meanings of "to open", "to start", or "to enlighten". The second character, 示 (shì), means "to show", "to indicate", or "to manifest". When combined, the word constructs a powerful conceptual metaphor: the act of opening (启) something up to show (示) a hidden truth or insight. Thus, 启示 does not merely indicate information but implies a profound, illuminating disclosure that enlightens the mind, perfectly encapsulating the idea of a divine, philosophical, or sudden inspirational revelation.