The word 师傅 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing to a unified concept of respected expertise. 师 (shī) originally meant "teacher" or "master", representing one who possesses knowledge and provides guidance. 傅 (fù) historically denoted a tutor or an advisor, often with a hands-on, instructional connotation. When joined, they reinforce and elevate each other, merging to specifically denote a master craftsman or a highly skilled practitioner who is not only technically proficient but also worthy of the deference and honor accorded to a teacher, thus creating a term of deep respect for a mentor in a trade or skill.