The word "摆地摊" is formed by combining the verb 摆, meaning "to display" or "to arrange", with the noun phrase 地摊, which consists of 地 ("ground") and 摊 ("stall") to mean "ground stall". This creates a verb-object structure that literally translates to "to display a ground stall", referring to the act of setting up a temporary street stall for selling goods.