The Chinese word **旁观** (pángguān) is a compound formed by combining two characters: **旁** (páng), meaning "side" or "by the side," and **观** (guān), meaning "to look" or "to watch." Literally, it conveys the idea of "watching from the side." This formation creates a metaphorical meaning, referring to the act of being an onlooker, spectator, or bystander—someone who observes a situation without getting involved or taking part. It is most commonly used in the fixed phrase **袖手旁观** (xiù shǒu pángguān), which means "to stand by with folded arms" or "to look on without lifting a finger," emphasizing passive observation.