The word 赡养费 is formed by combining three characters: 赡, which means to support or provide for; 养, which means to raise or nurture; and 费, which means fee or expense. Together, 赡养 specifies the act of providing financial support and care, typically in a familial context, and adding 费 denotes the monetary payment required for such support, thus creating the term for alimony or maintenance payments.