The Chinese word **弹簧** (tánhuáng), meaning "spring" (as in the mechanical component), is a compound word formed through semantic combination, where each character contributes to the overall meaning. The first character, **弹** (tán), carries the core meaning of "to spring," "to bounce," or "elasticity," while the second character, **簧** (huáng), historically refers to a reed, a thin vibrating strip often made of bamboo or metal, as found in ancient instruments or locks. Thus, the term literally and conceptually fuses the action of springing (**弹**) with the physical, vibrating object that enables it (**簧**), perfectly describing an elastic device that stores and releases mechanical energy.