The Chinese word **犀牛 (xīniú)** for "rhinoceros" is a logical semantic compound formed by combining the character **犀 (xī)**, which historically means "rhinoceros" or denotes something sharp and powerful (like its horn), with the character **牛 (niú)**, meaning "cow" or "bovine animal." This combination creates a descriptive, almost zoological classification: it essentially defines the creature as a "rhinoceros-bovine," highlighting its perceived physical resemblance to cattle in body shape and herbivorous nature, while the component **犀** specifies its unique identity, particularly evoking the image of its defining horn. Thus, it is a straightforward example of how Chinese often constructs words by joining meaningful characters to convey a clear, composite idea.