The Chinese word 威胁 (wēixié), meaning "to threaten", is formed through a logical and conceptual combination of its two component characters. The first character, 威 (wēi), carries the core idea of "power", "authority", or "might". The second character, 胁 (xié), conveys the notion of "the flank or side" (of the body), which by extension implies "coercion" or "pressure", as one can be pressured from the sides or forced into a corner. Therefore, the compound 威胁 conceptually fuses the image of "power" (威) with the method of "applying pressure or coercion" (胁) to create the integrated meaning of using one's might or position to intimidate or menace another.