The word 商业 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing its core meaning to create a new, unified concept. 商 (shāng) carries the fundamental idea of trade, dealing, or commerce, historically linked to merchants and exchange. 业 (yè) signifies profession, enterprise, or a field of activity. When fused, 商 specifies the type of activity, and 业 provides the framework of an organized undertaking, together conceptualizing the entire organized system and activity of commerce, the business of doing business.