The Chinese word 慈悲 (cíbēi), meaning "compassion" or "mercy", is a compound formed by combining two characters with deeply related meanings. 慈 (cí) conveys the idea of kindness, benevolence, and a gentle, loving heart, often from a position of care or authority. 悲 (bēi) expresses sorrow, pity, and empathy for the suffering of others. When paired, they create a holistic Buddhist-inspired concept where 慈 represents the active wish for all beings to have happiness, and 悲 represents the desire to relieve them of suffering; together, they embody the essential virtue of unconditional, active compassion.