The word **相伴** is a compound formed by combining two distinct but semantically related characters: **相** (xiāng), which means "mutually" or "each other," and **伴** (bàn), which means "companion" or "to accompany." When joined, the individual meanings fuse to create a verb meaning "to accompany each other" or "to be together." It exemplifies a common pattern in Chinese word formation called **coordinative compounding**, where both elements contribute equally and their meanings combine to express a single, more nuanced concept—in this case, the reciprocal and mutual nature of companionship or coexistence.