The Chinese word 更新 is a compound formed by combining two independent characters, each contributing its meaning to create a new, integrated concept. The first character, 更 (gēng), carries the core meaning of "to change", "to replace", or "to renew". The second character, 新 (xīn), means "new". When paired, they create a verb-noun or sequential action relationship where 更 acts upon 新, literally meaning "to change (into the) new" or "to renew". This logical fusion results in the modern meanings of "to update", "to renew", or "renewal", applicable to software, information, or general refreshing of a state.