The word 声音 (shēngyīn, "sound") is formed through a compounding process where two independent characters, each carrying a related core meaning, are combined to create a more specific and comprehensive concept. The character 声 originally depicts a musical stone chime (磬) and denotes a sound or noise, particularly its source or physical production. The character 音 adds the element of "speech" or "tone" to a similar foundational symbol, emphasizing the perceived quality or the distinct auditory impression. By joining them, the compound 声音 seamlessly merges the idea of the physical act or source of making a sound (声) with the resulting auditory phenomenon or its distinctive character (音), forming a complete and unified notion of "sound" in its entirety.