The Chinese word 方舟 (fāngzhōu) is a compound term formed by combining two characters: 方 (fāng), which in this context carries the archaic meaning of "a vessel" or "a large boat", and 舟 (zhōu), meaning "boat" or "ship". Together, they create a specific term for a large, often rectangular or square-shaped vessel designed to carry people or cargo, most famously known in the biblical and cultural concept of "Noah's Ark" (诺亚方舟, Nuòyà Fāngzhōu). The word is thus a semantic compound where both elements contribute to the core meaning of a substantial, lifesaving ship.