The word 寿终正寝 is formed through the sequential combination of four characters: 寿 (shòu, meaning longevity or life span), 终 (zhōng, meaning end), 正 (zhèng, meaning proper or main), and 寝 (qǐn, meaning bedroom or resting place). Together, they create a literal meaning of "ending longevity in the main bedroom", which directly constructs the concept of dying naturally of old age at home.