The word "实际上" is formed through a conceptual layering of three characters: "实" (shí), meaning actual or solid substance; "际" (jì), meaning a border, edge, or situation; and "上" (shàng), meaning upon or above. Its construction visualizes moving from a concrete core ("实") outward to its defining context or boundary ("际"), and then taking a position "upon" that entire situation ("上"), thereby creating a composite idea meaning "upon the actual situation" or "in practical reality". This formation reflects a characteristically Chinese mode of abstract thought, building a complex adverbial notion through spatial and relational metaphors rather than through grammatical derivation.