The word 扭转 (niǔzhuǎn) is a compound verb formed by combining two characters with similar meanings to create a more vivid and forceful concept. The first character, 扭 (niǔ), primarily means "to twist" or "to turn" with physical force, like turning a knob. The second, 转 (zhuǎn), means "to turn", "to change direction", or "to transform". When paired, they reinforce each other, evolving from the literal sense of "to twist and turn something around" (e.g.,扭转身子) to the far more common figurative meaning of "to reverse" or "to change the course of" a situation, trend, or unfavorable condition (e.g., 扭转局面). Thus, the formation follows a common Chinese lexical pattern where synonymous characters combine to express a nuanced, often intensified, action.