The word 浪漫主义 is formed by combining 浪漫, meaning 'romantic' or 'unconventional,' with the suffix 主义, meaning '-ism.' 浪漫 itself is composed of 浪, suggesting 'wave' or 'unrestrained,' and 漫, suggesting 'overflow' or 'free,' together evoking a sense of free-flowing emotion, which when joined with 主义 creates the term for the ideological movement of romanticism.