The term **缓刑 (huǎnxíng)**, meaning "probation" or "suspended sentence," is a compound word formed through semantic combination. The first character, **缓 (huǎn)**, carries the meaning of "to slow," "delay," or "postpone," while the second character, **刑 (xíng)**, means "punishment" or "penalty." When combined, the meaning of **缓** directly modifies **刑**, creating the specific legal concept of a "postponed punishment," where the execution of a court-imposed sentence is temporarily delayed, typically contingent upon the offender's good behavior and compliance with set conditions during a probationary period.