The word "海豚" is formed by combining two characters: "海", meaning "sea", and "豚", meaning "pig", to create a compound that literally translates to "sea pig". This formation arises from perceptual similarities observed between dolphins and pigs, such as their rounded bodies, playful behavior, or snout-like features, leading to a descriptive term that captures the essence of a marine creature reminiscent of a pig. Over time, this combination solidified into the standard Chinese term for dolphin, reflecting a conceptual blend of habitat and physical resemblance rather than a biological classification.