The Chinese word **微波 (wēibō)**, meaning "microwave," is a straightforward compound formed by combining two meaningful characters: **微 (wēi)**, which means "tiny," "minute," or "subtle," and **波 (bō)**, which means "wave." It is a direct, descriptive translation of the scientific term "microwave," referring to electromagnetic waves with very short wavelengths. The term logically builds the concept from its components—"tiny waves"—and is used both in technical contexts (e.g., microwave transmission) and in everyday life, most commonly in **微波炉 (wēibōlú)**, meaning "microwave oven."