The word "琅琊" is formed by combining two characters, each constructed as a phono-semantic compound. The character "琅" uses the radical "王" (jade) to indicate its semantic category related to precious stones, with "良" providing phonetic approximation. Similarly, "琊" incorporates the same "王" radical for meaning, with "邪" serving as the phonetic component. Together, they form a disyllabic term primarily used as a place name.