The word 色彩 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a layer of meaning to create a single, richer concept. The first character, 色 (sè), fundamentally means "color" or "hue". The second, 彩 (cǎi), carries meanings of "multicolored", "brilliance", or "variegated appearance". Their combination is not merely additive; instead, 彩 intensifies and embellishes the basic idea of 色, transforming the simple notion of "color" into the more vivid and expressive concept of "colorfulness", "coloration", or "color palette", encompassing its visual richness and aesthetic impact.