The word 认领 (rènlǐng) is a standard Mandarin compound formed by combining two independent characters, each contributing to its overall meaning: 认 (rèn), which means "to recognize" or "to acknowledge," and 领 (lǐng), which means "to receive," "to take possession," or "to lead." Together in this verb-object structure, they create the specific meaning "to claim" or "to formally acknowledge and take ownership or responsibility for something," such as claiming lost property, adopting a child, or assuming responsibility for a project, where one first identifies/acknowledges (认) the item or duty and then takes it into one's care (领).