The word "潜伏" is formed by combining the character "潜", which means to hide, conceal, or dive, often implying a submerged or hidden state, with the character "伏", which means to lie low, crouch, or submit, indicating a position of waiting or readiness. Together, these characters create a compound word where "潜" contributes the notion of being concealed or out of sight, and "伏" adds the action of lying in wait, resulting in the meaning of lurking, hiding, or being in ambush.