The word "查询" (cháxún) is formed through the common Chinese morphological process of compounding, where two independent, related morphemes are combined to create a new, more specific meaning. The first character, "查" (chá), carries the core meaning of "to investigate", "to check", or "to examine". The second character, "询" (xún), means "to inquire" or "to ask". When combined, their meanings synergize to form the modern term for "to inquire about", "to look up", or "to query", specifically referring to the act of seeking out and examining information, such as checking a database, searching a record, or consulting a source.