The word 楼梯 (lóutī) is formed by combining two individual characters, each contributing a core concept to create a new, unified meaning. The first character, 楼, means "multi-storied building", establishing the context of a structure with vertical levels. The second character, 梯, means "ladder" or "steps", denoting the object used for ascending and descending. When placed together, they conceptually merge to visually and functionally represent the idea of a built-in series of steps connecting the floors of a building, a staircase.