The word 想象 is formed by combining two independent characters, each contributing a core concept that merges into a single, richer idea. The first character, 想 (xiǎng), carries the fundamental meaning of "to think" or "to ponder". It is joined with 象 (xiàng), which means "image", "form", or "appearance". Their combination does not simply list actions but conceptually fuses them: it is the act of thinking in or with images, picturing something in the mind that is not present to the senses, thus naturally arriving at the meaning of "to imagine".