The word 烦恼 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a layer of meaning to create a unified concept. The first character, 烦 (fán), conveys a sense of being annoyed, bothered, or vexed by external or repetitive irritations. The second character, 恼 (nǎo), refers to an internal state of distress, anger, or vexation within the mind or heart. When merged, they depict a compound idea where external irritations (烦) provoke and blend with internal emotional turmoil (恼), perfectly encapsulating the experience of "worries" or "vexation" as a persistent, nagging affliction of both mind and circumstance.