The Chinese word 深渊 (shēnyuān, meaning "abyss" or "deep chasm") is a compound noun formed through semantic combination. The first character, 深 (shēn), means "deep", while the second, 渊 (yuān), originally refers to a "deep pool" or "gulf". Together, they create a tautological compound where both elements reinforce the same core concept of profound depth, resulting in a powerful and vivid term that denotes an extremely deep and often ominous precipice, frequently used in both literal and metaphorical contexts (e.g., an abyss of despair).