The Chinese word 爱护 (àihù) is a compound formed by combining two separate characters, each with its own meaning, to create a new, nuanced concept. The first character, 爱 (ài), means "to love" or "to cherish," conveying a deep sense of affection and care. The second character, 护 (hù), means "to protect," "to guard," or "to shield," implying a proactive, safeguarding action. When combined in this verb-verb or ideational compound, the word 爱护 synthesizes these ideas to mean "to cherish and protect" or "to care for," describing a loving and diligent guardianship where affectionate concern motivates protective behavior, often used in contexts like caring for people, public property, or the environment.