The word "说明" is formed through a logical and conceptual combination of its two component characters. The first character, "说" (shuō), means "to speak" or "to explain", representing the action of conveying information. It is combined with "明" (míng), which means "clear" or "bright", representing the desired result or state of understanding. Together, they create a cause-and-effect compound where the act of explaining ("说") directly aims to achieve and results in clarity ("明"), thus forming the complete concept "to explain" or "explanation".