The word 知觉 is formed by combining two conceptual pillars: 知 (zhī), which represents the cognitive act of knowing or understanding, and 觉 (jué), which represents the sensory or conscious act of feeling or becoming aware. Their union creates a holistic concept that transcends a simple sum of its parts, describing the integrated mental process where raw sensory input (觉) is organized and recognized by the mind to produce meaningful awareness and comprehension (知). It encapsulates the seamless journey from sensation to conscious perception.