The Chinese word for Berlin, 柏林, is formed through a traditional method of transcribing foreign place names by combining Chinese characters that approximate the foreign sounds while also carrying vaguely appropriate or neutral meanings. Here, 柏 (bó) is chosen primarily for its phonetic value to mimic "Ber", and 林 (lín) does the same for "lin", with the coincidental benefit that together, literally "cypress forest", they create a meaningful compound that evokes a pleasant, wooded imagery, making the foreign name feel familiar and integrated into the Chinese lexicon.