The word 独立 (dúlì, "independence; to be independent") is formed through the logical combination of its two constituent characters: 独 (dú), meaning "alone" or "solitary", and 立 (lì), meaning "to stand". The formation is conceptually pictorial and metaphorical, creating the immediate image of "standing alone". This composite visual idea directly and intuitively conveys the abstract notion of self-sufficiency, autonomy, and not relying on external support, which is the core meaning of independence.