The word 指控 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a core concept to create a unified meaning. The first character, 指 (zhǐ), means "to point" or "to indicate", evoking the physical or metaphorical act of directing attention toward a specific target. The second character, 控 (kòng), means "to accuse" or "to charge", carrying the sense of formally laying blame. Together, they visually and conceptually depict the action of pointing toward someone to formally level an accusation, thus forming the complete meaning "to accuse" or "to charge".