The word 朝圣者 is formed by combining 朝, meaning 'to pilgrimage' or 'to pay homage,' with 圣, meaning 'holy' or 'sacred,' to create 朝圣, meaning 'pilgrimage to a holy place.' The suffix 者, meaning 'person' or 'one who,' is then added to indicate 'a person who undertakes such a pilgrimage,' resulting in the meaning 'pilgrim.'