The word 担保 is formed through a conceptual combination where the first character 担 (dān), meaning "to carry on the shoulder" or "to bear a burden", visually and notionally pairs with the second character 保 (bǎo), meaning "to protect" or "to guarantee". Together, they create a metaphorical image of one party shouldering the responsibility (担) in order to ensure protection or a secure outcome (保) for another, directly conveying the core idea of providing a guarantee or acting as a surety. The formation is logical, building the abstract concept of "guarantee" from these two tangible actions of bearing and safeguarding.