The compound word 淘气 (táoqì), meaning "naughty" or "mischievous", is formed through a vivid metaphorical combination of its two morphemes: 淘 (táo), which originally means "to wash" or "to rinse" (as in淘米, táo mǐ, "to rinse rice"), extends metaphorically to imply "stirring up" or "causing turbulence"; and 气 (qì), meaning "air", "energy", or "spirit". Together, they figuratively depict a restless, unsettled, or "stirred-up" energy or temperament, much like sediment churned up in water, perfectly capturing the essence of playful, unruly behavior typically associated with children.