The Chinese word 感恩 (gǎn'ēn) is a compound term formed by combining two individual characters, each with its own meaning, to create a new, more abstract concept. The first character, 感 (gǎn), means "to feel" or "a feeling", while the second, 恩 (ēn), translates to "kindness", "favor", or "grace". When combined, they create a verb meaning "to be thankful" or a noun meaning "gratitude", literally conveying the idea of "feeling the kindness" one has received from others, thus encapsulating the act of acknowledging and appreciating a benevolent act or gift. This formation follows a common pattern in Chinese where a verb (感) is paired with an object (恩) to express an action directed toward that object, and it carries deep cultural resonance, reflecting the Confucian value of reciprocating kindness and favor.