The word "诚实" is formed by combining the character "诚", meaning sincere or honest, which includes the speech radical "言" to relate to verbal expression, and "实", meaning true or solid, which includes the roof radical "宀" to imply substantial reality. Together, "诚" contributes the notion of sincere intent, while "实" contributes the notion of factual truth, resulting in a compound word that denotes honesty.