The word **混淆** (hùnxiáo) is formed by combining two characters with closely related meanings to create a single, more emphatic concept. The first character, **混** (hùn), carries meanings of "to mix," "to confuse," or "to blend," often with a connotation of disorder. The second, **淆** (xiáo), specifically means "to muddy" or "to make unclear," as in muddying water. When paired, they form a coordinative compound where both elements reinforce the idea of **causing things to become indistinct, jumbled, or misunderstood**, effectively meaning "to confuse," "to mix up," or "to obfuscate." Thus, the compound leverages the semantic overlap of its parts to intensify the notion of creating confusion or blurring distinctions.